Before the Wolves can entice any top free agent when they have cap space in 2010, they know they have to improve the product on the court to the point they are considered a team worth joining.

"I think that's very important," said Jim Stack. "I think markets can get a little bit overrated. The top players want to go to a city where they can win. We're in a position to add not one but two high-level max free agents to a core that hopefully is going to continue to grow. As we move along, we want to get the team playing better, have a good draft and look at free agency even this year. I think that's going to put us in really good position to get this team moving in a good direction to where we could start competing for championships in 2010.

"There are a lot of variables that play into that (cap space)," said Stack. "It's hard to say there's going be X amount, but I do know we're going to have the cap room to sign players if we decide to go that route. Probably as much as any team. You can't put all your eggs in one basket, but we want to potentially sign one or two max-level free agents to add to our core group."