Several Sources on what the Wolves might do with the 2nd Pick

I wouldnt be surprised to see them move Beasley on draft night either, but your right I think someone else will be owning the #2 pick before the night is done.

Is it ok to start saying that Kahn’s plan is actually working?

no first rounder next year and rambis is on the hot seat and love might just bolt town when his rookie contract runs out here in a minute. Wolves got to do some things quick.

If I’m the Wolves I think I like the Javale McGee and 6th for the #2. Javale looks like a perenial 2-3 BPG defender who will do well taking alley oops from Rubio and can be a great defensive center peice to help take pressure off of Love ala Tyson Chandler/Dirk and Marc Gasol/Randolph. 

P.S. – Keep Derrick Williams… He’s Mike Beasley plus+ Effort , minus- Hood lol

 its hard to believe the highest pick they ever had was 2nd overall and its now

I don’t see why Houston isn’t being taken seriously, Minnesota’s biggest need is a legitimate 2-guard, and Kevin Martin is about an efficient a scorer as you could want. He’s a veteran, but still relatively young and would provide a great second scoring option alongside Beasley. If I were the Timberwolves I’d definitely trade the #2 for Kevin Martin + 14th pick.

I’m hearing the Wiz are not going to give up McGee to get the 2nd pick. I think that Bogut deal is the most realistic and best for the TWolves. Can’t blame the Bucks for wanting to get out of the Bogut investment especially if they could get the #2 pick and it does not matter rather Derrick Williams is a SF or PF if he goes to the Bucks because they need both.

imagine if kahn actually pulled off a great deal with this. the world would be shocked.

 Personally I don’t see why the Wolves shouldn’t keep this pick. IMO they should draft Derrick Williams (assuming he’s available) because let’s face it, Kevin Love might bolt out of there as soon as his contract expires. Then what will we have? Beasely, Rubio, and Wes? Yeah if I were a West team I’d sure be scared..

I think they need to keep this pick for the reason I already said because having a frontcourt combo of Beasely and Williams is deadly. Sure it’s not exactly the strongest defensively but if the Wolves bring in a good coach who has half a mind to play some kind of defense, those two guys might be able to develop some on that side of the floor. I think it would be a mistake to draft Enes Kanter at the number 2 spot. Initially I was very high on him thinking that you could pair him with Love and everything would be just dandy.. But realistically he would just be the bandage that would cover up Love leaving town..

Of all the possible choices at the number two spot (Williams, Irving, Knight, Kanter, Vesely, Jonas), who has the most potential to become a star in this league? Or even just an all star? Irving and Knight would fit in poorly for this team, Kanter I already said would just be a bandage over Love’s absence, Vesely has the potential but wouldn’t fit in well with their offense or defense, and Jonas would likely only be a defensive guy. Although we need the defense on that team.. I think Williams is the clear cut choice to make for which player to go after. If they trade this pick to get some veteran leadership that’s fine; However IMO I think that if they do decide to trade the pick for that vet, they also should get a top 6-8 pick in return along with the player to balance the deal.

 Beasley and Williams wouldn’t fit together.  They are too similar.  A team doesn’t fit well with two isolation scorers who score in the same way and are of a similar physique, unless they’re LeBron and Wade.

I like several of these trades – Kevin Martin, the 14 and 23 picks would be great, as would Bogut and #10, or Javale and #6.  Hell, even Varajeo and #4 isn’t terrible.  Really interesting stuff, here.  I think I’m becoming a Wolves fan since, while they aren’t very good, they are at least always very interesting.

How often do players leave their draft team before they become unrestricted free agents after seven years? Love will be restricted agent and Wolves will match any offer, so he will remain a Wolf for the first seven years of his career. Williams is a power forward, so not a good fit with Love. Though Love can play center against a lot of teams.

But if the Wolves can get Bogut, they should take him for Williams. Bogut is still effective even with the injured arm. And that was a freak accident so no reason to think that he is really injury prone.  

Tallman – new CBA.  Don’t over-assume, though I agree, you’re very likely right.  And I love the idea of Bogut with Love, then getting Burks or Bismark with the 10.

if that deal really is on the table imo the twolves would be insane not too do it bogut is arguably the 2 best c in the league and provides great def too make up for loves lack of it plus bogut is a steady 15 and 10 guy and at the ten the twolves could draft one of the available sg such as burks or klay thompson

The "Bad General Manager" line is incredibly poignant. Honestly, I am very interested to see what happens. Beasley can score, but does he have the intangibles of a Derrick Williams? I think Williams could be a winner, and Beasley has yet to prove that. His lack of defensive polish, granted in only three years in the league, is nonetheless fairly discouraging. I think Williams brings in a new attitude and that whatever deal they happen to shop for Beasley, they will at least be coming out ahead in a trade that got them a 20 ppg scorer for one year. Still, realize that when you have two 20 ppg scorers playing twin forwards, and you end up with the worst record in the league, something is not working. Can not fully blame that on the guards or Darko (though it is easy to blame everything on Darko).

I find it hard to believe the Bucks make that Bogut trade. Just seems really far fetched, do they get a huge trade exception with it? Well, trade exceptions have really not been overly effective, they are difficult to use and than the Bucks have a glaring hole at Center and a bunch of 3/4 hybrids. I know that Bogut is injury prone, but he nonetheless is just as beneficial being the possible second best Center in the league for the Bucks as he is for the Timberwolves. Not to mention, I think the fact that he has been cool with staying in Milwaukee probably means they keep him.

The Bobcats other assets are a conundrum. You do not take the 9-19 combo for the second pick in the draft, that makes no sense. That leaves DJ Augustin, who I doubt they want even though I am sure he is on the block, and Gerald Henderson. Henderson is Wayne Ellington’s former HS teammate, and while I am sure the Wolves are dying for a way to cheer up Wayne Ellington, I think they pass.

I think the Wizards are a no go, if McGee is not on the block, than why touch anything else they have? I mean, heaven forbid John Wall plays the same position as Ricky Rubio (sarcasm, people). Also, despite many gung-ho on the possibility of adding volume shooters Nick Young or Jordan Crawford, I stick with Wesley Johnson and hope for the best. This leaves the Cavs and the Suns, both of whom have interesting packages. As much as I think Kanter could be the second best player in the draft, there is little doubt that most fans would be more excited with Williams and Irving. JJ Hickson has a nice upside, and he would be a nice piece of depth for the Wolves and another trade chip. Marcin Gortat played really well at the end of the season, and appears to be Darko with more effort given in the fields of defense and rebounding. Of course of those two trades, I think you take the higher pick, so Cleveland would be the best possible option in my opinion.

Still, I do not know if the Wolves indeed trade this pick, or try to trade Beasley. I think that Love and Beasley might not be as great of a future front court as one would think. The problem is, Williams may indeed have some of the same issues as Beasley. One rumor that is interesting though seems far fetched is Gasol for Love and I believe the #2 pick. As much as Minnesota loves K-Love, Pau Gasol would be a major upgrade in my opinion. Giving up the 2nd pick and Love for him though, seems like a very stupid move and the stuff rumors are made of. Can not wait until we actually know the truth on Thursday.

Just draft Williams and keep padding talented depth onto the roster. Continue the "Rebuild", the Wolves can’t afford to pass up any more talent. Don’t trade, don’t screw around with the roster anymore. Cut and keep the necessary guys and continue to play hard and mature as a team.

@jrcassell; I think that’s what they are trying to do; by avoiding bringing in another young player who needs minutes to develop they are giving their current core a chance to develop. Any trade should be to secure veterans and later draft picks where there would be less competition for PT amongst their starters.

@mikeyv; I agree that the T’Wolves should have won more games, but the lack of a pass-first PG (Ridnour get very trigger-happy in late game situations) cost them a number of close games, and they showed they could be competitive against a number of strong teams this season, which is a departure from the time before Beasley and Love paired up. With Rubio coming over finally, and hopefully a coaching change, or at least an adjustment from Rambis, I don’t see why the T’Wolves can’t be successful with Beasley. Give him time to make that leap now that he’s comfortable in Minny. Also, I didn’t see you say anything about the Rockets trade, what do you think of that one?

Did overlook that one, would not want it. Kevin Martin has won diddly in the NBA. He is a great scorer and I like him, but not over Derrick Williams and whatever they could get for Mike Beasley. So, I will say that is a no go. Kevin Martin is a volume shooter, and while I love the fact that he gets to the line, he is a 27 year old making 12 million per year. Why trade that for a rookie scale salary (which will probably not change drastically in the new CBA) and maybe save on cap room for a possible better option? Add to the fact that Martin is not known for his defensive acumen, very little to like about that deal.

Blaming Ridnour for late game decisions is ridiculous though. This could be my inner Duck talking, and I will admit that Rid is not the best PG you could have, but his late game decision making, I am pretty sure, cost them diddly. He played a nice role on a play-off team last year in Milwaukee and he also was a fixture on those Sonics teams that were pretty decent. He is not a defensive whiz either, but his shooting percentages wre 47-44-88, not to mention 5.4 apg is not exactly horrible for playing 30 mpg. These are not bad assist numbers, and I am guessing when you win only 15 games and lose by an average of 6.6 ppg, late game acumen is far from your biggest problem. Not to mention, Ricky Rubio is going to be BETTER than Luke Ridnour in this area? Do not hold your breath.

The Timberwolves need a change, and coach is not it. They can try and hope this team just progresses naturally, and say they are set at every starting position (do not see Wesley Johnson moving from the SG spot, and Rubio has a firm grip on the PG), but than they still need depth. Had very little of that last year. They could really use an upgrade at Center, but I am guessing they would get killed as a defensive front line with he, Love and Beasley. Plus, and maybe this will come with time, you want much higher shooting percentages from Love and especially Beasley. If they go up by a couple percentage points each, than they do not have to worry about close games. The fact that Rid shot what he did with that team shows he had about as good of a season as he could have. Wesley Johnson also should aim to shoot above 40%, though that is tough for a rook sometimes. Still, Kevin had amazing 3 pt % and FT’s, but 47% from the field for a guy that big is less than ideal. Beasley shooting 45% also less than ideal. They are not horrible, but other teams have players either shooting better percentages, getting to the line more or scoring more.

The Timberwolves are not built terribly for the future, but they are not in the best of positions either. They give up their first round pick next year, which probably might cause more incentive too win now. The thing is, do you want to do that by piling on more salary, or hope that a few minor changes and some added depth might be enough for some progression. Kahn should not panic and trade an opportunity to have a player who might be more willing to buy into the system and create a winning attitude, which I think Williams probably is more than Beasley. Plus, they have to worry about signing Beasley to an extension, why not let some other team worry about that? You can hope that Beasley and Love will be a workable front court, but if they aren’t, than you have two guys making a lot more money than you would want them too leading you too losing seasons or barely past mediocrity. Not exactly ideal.

 IMO the Wolves right now are stuck in limbo. They have a lot of talent on their roster and those players have massive potential. However the bad thing is, they don’t get the time to develop better. They are always looking for an "upgrade" at any position for winning now, which they never do anyway. What was it, two seasons ago they got Ramon Sessions who stunted the growth of Flynn in his rookie year (who IMO was playing GREAT basketball against the top level talent PG’s in the league) then later went out and signed Ridnour and traded Sessions, who was also playing great. If they want to start winning they have to leave this roster alone, add some veteran presence (maybe not through trading this #2 pick though), get their core starters some minutes to develop and start really meshing together, and bring in a guy that they think can be a good scoring punch for them as a 6th man. If management let these guys just develop together and train in the offseason together, I can see them being a 4 or 5 seed in the playoffs in about 3 years. Bold prediction but letting Love and Beasely and especially Rubio and Wes mature together would be beneficial in the long run rather than looking to trade any assets for pieces that may fit better for them (Bogut for example to replace the biggest hole, Darko). 

There’s a video up on timberwolves.com that is an interview with Williams. He says he made the jump from his freshman to sophomore year so well because he worked hard in the offseason, saying it helps when you’re working with guys that want to improve their game together. I think Love, Beasely and Williams could go out next summer and do the same training that Love, Westbrook, and Rose did together over the summer to drastically improve all their games while also getting them to play more dynamically together.

Wow, that’s a ton of injury baggage for Bogut….that worries me as a Wolves fan. Tall centers have proven to be very injury prone, it’s risky to put all of your chips on an NBA center and give up a rare #2 pick on top of that.

I’m not sure the Wolves are willing to gamble at this point in their franchise.

Honestly, I think the Wolves are pretty high on Kanter. I think they’ll draft DWilliams at #2 and make a trade for Kanter.

With all of Bogut’s injury baggage I think the Wolves stay away from him and go with Kanter. The Wolves front office claim they have been scouting him for some time now and at this point he seems like a safer option.

I’m not sure if David Khan even knows what David Khan is doing

I’ve heard the Pau Gasol for Love & the #2 rumor as well, but idk if I go for that from Minny’s standpoint. Love is the best rebounder in the league, and a grinder who works hard all the time…Gasol has a tendency to disappear at times(even though playing with Kobe can do that to anyone) but he’s getting into his 30s, and when he was the 1st option on a team(Memphis) they never won a single playoff game. I’d rather keep Love and suffer a couple more years while banking on the upside for the future than pull the trigger on that Gasol deal.

Bogut is a quality C but has injury issues and how would the Bucks fill their C role as I’d assume they would draft Williams at 2.

The Houston trade is an interesting one and Houston have other picks they could send in the future if required but again with the T-Wolves you have too many players trying to get minutes at 3 and 4.

As Mikey says above they have two 20ppg players one of whom is the leading rebounder and throw in Darko’s blocking presence yet they are still the worse team in the league.

Every team knows that Flynn is on the block so they get no trade value for him and Beasley despite his 20ppg season would still have questionable trade value.

Negg me all day for saying Derrick Williams will be better than Mike Beasley… But coming from a true smoker… Trust me… Your boy Beasley has burnt more forests down than lit cigarette butts..lol