5 NBA Draft Options for the Timberwolves
Before draft season rolled along, critics of this year’s draft class suggested that the Wolves try to get rid of their boatload of picks. But instead of ditching a couple of their choices this year for picks in a stronger draft, Minnesota’s gone in the opposite direction. They’re going by the Warren Buffet edict – be a buyer in a seller’s market. At least that’s the way that it appears at the moment.
But will that philosophy hold up? Minnesota is in the driver’s seat tonight – they could use all of their six selections, or they can make one of the following moves.
* Package two of their four picks (one of their Top 10 picks, plus No. 18 OR No. 28) to trade into the top 3 and acquire James Harden or Hasheem Thabeet.
Minny had a real last-minute workout with Harden yesterday – he missed the mandatory media event because he was working out with the Wolves. That’s a pretty obvious sign that they’re thinking about making moves to add him to the roster. However, Minnesota has had a tough time in negotiations for Memphis’ No. 2 pick. They denied an offer from Memphis of No. 5 OR No. 6 and Kevin Love for the second selection. They also came up empty when offering either 5 or 6 plus Craig Smith to the Grizzlies.
It’d be tough to pry the third selection away from OKC as well, as they seem set on improving their roster at that spot. Harden could be a great fit for them – another real scorer to play along with Kevin Durant.
* Trade down from one of their two choices in the Top 10 to acquire a pick at the back of the lottery and a decent veteran.
Though there haven’t been any published rumors about this move, it makes sense. They could land a top-flight point guard at No. 5. Odds are they’d be able to grab either Ricky Rubio or Tyreke Evans there. Perhaps they’d be able to swap No. 6 for a pick in the 10-14 range, where they’d be able to go after a guy like Earl Clark. The Wolves obviously need another way to score that isn’t just dumping the ball into Al Jefferson.
* Gamble that James Harden will still be there at No. 5. In that case, take Harden, either Jonny Flynn, Tyreke, or Steph Curry at No. 6. Go after the best available SF with Nos. 18 and 28.
* Send Kevin Love at No. 6 to the Thunder for the third pick in the draft. Then take Ricky Rubio at No. 3, take Harden at No. 5, and try to replace Love with DeJuan Blair at No. 18.
* Convince the Suns to deal Amar’e for Al Jefferson and the No. 6 pick. High-five the person next you, then take our boy Jonny Flynn at No. 5. That’s a highlight-reel in the making.
What would you like to see Minnesota do with their six picks?
Source: ESPN
June 25th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Ray says:
I’m liking the high five part right about now.
But I would probably have to go with Jennings at 5 and DeRozan at 6. I just think the two of them + Jefferson and Love will give teams trouble.
Love trowing 85 foot out-let passes to Jennings..Jennings throwing ally-oops to Al Jeff/DeRozan all day..not too shabby right there.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Michorizo says:
i hear Jennings is dropping into the ‘teens
June 25th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Abe504 says:
keep the draft picks, draft curry and derozan, don’t trade kevin love, he’s a walkin double double.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:19 am
SEANY_T says:
Surely anything involving trading Love is a step backwards. Draft the best available pg & sg at 5 and 6 and a pick up a sf to replace Miller with one of the later picks.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
[Send Kevin Love at No. 6 to the Thunder for the third pick in the draft. Then take Ricky Rubio at No. 3, take Harden at No. 5, and try to replace Love with DeJuan Blair at No. 18.]
I think this option is best if it was possible. It’s doubtful that the draft would fall in place like this but you never know. In this particular draft, after Griffin goes #1, anything can happen.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:29 am
nerditry says:
Trading for Amare is stupid, especially when it’s Big Al.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Kudabeen says:
I say pick up Flynn and DeRozan.
Package the 18 and 28th pick with a team like Milwaukee who isn’t really Excited about any pick in particular. Thrown in a player if need be.
With that number 10 pick go after Earl Clark.
If not, Sam Young should be there at 18. They still need to pick up a Big from somewhere, so I’d suggest trading their 28th pick and a player for Darko. People clown him, but he has some skill. Playing with two other strong post players may be helpful.
Roster:
Flynn/Telfair
Carney/DeRozan
Young/Brewer
Love/Smith (if he isn’t sent to Memphis or Bucks)
Jefferson/Darko
I think that is a nice young group. Jefferson is lead dog, but Love, Flynn, and Sam Young gives you reliable pieces aroung him to do the work. Brewer is you rangy defender, Carney and DeRozan are you running/slashing tuber-athletic wings. TelFair will push Flynn, but may give way to bigger Backup PG later…
June 25th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Doc says:
Can’t give up Love…a rebounding machine.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:45 am
nbadraf09 says:
Give Kevin love some time and he will be as good as David Lee.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:46 am
BR says:
Flynn + Derozan. Although, Im hoping that Flynn can last until number 9 to Raptors. My fav number + my home team. It HAS to happen, lol. I also wouldn’t be mad about getting rid of Calderon and Bosh. Make it happen Colangelo!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:47 am
BR says:
Or Shawn Marion^
June 25th, 2009 at 11:47 am
nbadraf09 says:
maybe they can package 5th, 18th, and role player (craig smith).
June 25th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Kudabeen says:
I’m torn between Tyreke Evans and DeRozan, but if you have true PGs on the floor I’d roll with DeRozan. Him and Carney (if they keep him) should be solid one two punches. DeRozans shooting percentages are shaky though
Carney has to show he belongs this year. If he sticks with the Wolves he should have a chance to start in his third year. He showed some good signs and I think he can still be a quality starter down the line.
Looking at it really Minn needs shooters I’d feel better with them picking up
Curry 5, Clark 6 and if they move up Grab Terrence Williams, while still finding a way to pick up Darko. They should be able to fish a guy like JJ away from Orlando if they really want another shooter too.
So many options with all those picks.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Kingsley says:
Wait and try to steal Rubio/Evans using the 5th pick, and maybe take S.Curry using the 6th pick.
If both Rubio and T.Evans are surprisingly still available by then, take them both! Outside of Griffin, I think these 2 are the potential All-Stars in this Draft. Pair them together at the backcourt and Minny will be seeing incredible ball-movements in offense for the next 10 years.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
flavur says:
Trade the number 6 pick and Craig smith to the kings cus all they need is a pg and this draft is full of them and draft James harden at 4 and draft tyreke evans or jonny Flynn at 5
June 25th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
J says:
At this point, the T-wolves lack a legit 3, 2, 1. Bassy at worst could be a decent starting PG. He can drive pass anyone, create for his teammates, but his shot is still iffy. They really need to spread the floor with shooters, Curry is a real good target for them, but he’s undersized for the 2. Drafting Curry, would require them to draft a big PG/SG which Tyreke should be able to. The problem here Tyreke has a slow release on his shot along with its inconsistant. He also is a ball dominant player to be effective.
What the wolves really need is shooters with size that can hopefully run the team. Any small point guard they draft I see is redundant because the majority of them bring to the table what Bassy already does. Outside of Rubio I don’t really see anyone playing as the starting PG for the team. I say Curry and Derozan are the prime picks unless Rubio falls that far.
PG – Telfair/Curry
SG – Curry/Derozan
SF – Derozan/Gomes/Brewer
PF – Love/Jefferson/ 1of3 wizard fillers
C – Jefferson/1of3 wizard fillers
June 25th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
BZ says:
The talk of Jefferson AND a lottery pick for Stoudamire is completely insane. Jefferson is more valuable player and the Wolves would be stupid to even make that trade straight up. People who want to give Jefferson and a draft pick for Amare probably cheered for all the other stupid trades the Wolves have made in recent memory.