Chicago ? It might be time to let the dream die. After watching Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves dismantle the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night at the United Center, even I’d have to wonder why the Timberwolves would trade Garnett to the Bulls, much less anywhere else.

The whole premise of this longtime speculation was that the Timberwolves were failing and that it would make sense to rebuild with young pieces before risking losing Garnett.

It was clear that Minnesota was the better team in the 92-81 win. (Actually, as I think about it, maybe the Bulls players laid down so the team wouldn’t trade for Garnett and they could remain here happily collecting their money.) The Timberwolves had by far the best player on the court in Garnett.

That’s why it makes a lot of sense for Minnesota to take a shot at Allen Iverson, a move Garnett clearly is embracing. With all the loyalty Garnett has proclaimed for a management that has blundered around him for years, it would seem to be the least the front office could do.

That brings me to the Seattle SuperSonics, who will play the Bulls here Wednesday and have some issues of their own.

Let me see if I can count the problems: Voters basically said to get lost in rejecting a new arena. The new Oklahoma owners have given the state of Washington a year to work this out before they apparently try to move to Oklahoma City, which the Hornets are supposed to vacate after this season to return to New Orleans. The team is below .500 and seems likely to miss the playoffs. Ray Allen is out for two weeks with a foot injury as the Sonics head East for five games.

Coach Bob Hill, who somehow got this job after being chased out of the college profession at Fordham, is at war with virtually the entire team, ripping players publicly and privately. And players are ripping the former Kansas University assistant back.

All this comes amid reports that the team must show substantial progress by the end of December or major changes will be made. Hill has been in open feuds with Damien Wilkins and Earl Watson, who questioned his play-calling and offense. The professional Allen, just before going down with an ankle injury, also complained bitterly about the team’s offense. All-time NBA coaching wins leader Lenny Wilkens has joined the team as an executive in addition to his broadcasting duties. Though Wilkens says he doesn’t want to coach again, one figures that could change in an emergency.

Would the Sonics make a major move and try to deal Allen? It seems unlikely. No, the big question mark is Rashard Lewis, who can opt out of his contract after this season.

“Nobody is safe. Myself, I’m not safe,” Lewis said, expecting a deal.

So in the midst of anarchy, do the Sonics make the best of it and go for a package of prospects and draft picks instead of risking Lewis on a team apparently going nowhere?

A 6-foot-10-inch scorer at forward, Lewis would look good in a lot of Eastern Conference uniforms.