T-WOLVES GM MCCLOSKEY TO RETIRE; MCHALE AS SUCCESSOR?

     "One of the worst-kept secrets in Twin Cities sports was
made official" yesterday when Timberwolves GM Jack McCloskey
announced that he would retire at the end of the season.
Speculation had existed for months that McCloskey, nearing the
end of a 3-year contract, would not return next season.
Assistant GM Kevin McHale has been considered the "heir
apparent."  But last night, McHale "deflected talk of a
promotion":  "Being a general manager in the NBA was never a goal
of mine.  When you say it, it's not like bells and whistles go
off in my head.  It's way too premature to discuss it."  McHale
reportedly turned down recent "feelers" from Raptors GM Isiah
Thomas to become Toronto's first head coach (Steve Aschburner,
Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/1).