Swimsuits On! Minnesota Timberwolves Are About to Make a Big Splash!

Matthew Hayden by Correspondent Written on June 23, 2009
BEIJING - AUGUST 10:  Ricky Rubio #6 of Spain looks on while taking on Greece during the day 2 preliminary game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on August 10, 2008 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Fellow Minnesota fans know what the Timberwolves need:

A franchise player.

A point guard.

A center, or more length in the post.

Better three-point shooters.

Some NBA veterans with playoff experience.

With that being said, let me start off with David Kahn. Kahn has a recovery program that is sending the Timberwolves into an two-year plan to ultimately make the Timberwolves a championship team.

I have not heard the word "championship" since the year that Kevin Garnett and the Wolves went to the Western Conference Finals, and were an injury away from a championship.

Now that we have Kahn, it's obvious that change is upon us, as he's already let go of head coach Kevin McHale. Although McHale drafted Garnett, he made critical mistakes in the past on draft night, and despite the fact that the team loved him as a head coach, he was let go.

"I felt it was time for a change," Kahn said.

With that being said, it's easy to say that with three first-round draft picks, an enormous amount of cap salary, and a message out to other GM's stating that "I'm open to anything," Kahn is the busiest general manager in the NBA as of right now.

The Timberwolves have the No. 6 pick in the NBA draft. Kahn, however, gives the vibe that he is not satisfied with that pick.

"I want to move up in the draft," he said.

With The T'Wolves having all of these picks, you have to think, "do I really want all of these rookies on my team?"

No, the Wolves don't.

Instead, these rookies are used as trade bait for veteran players, and not necessarily superstars.

Kahn has mentioned about looking at the D-League. He also said that there are very talented players on someone's bench, and that they should be given a look at, if anything.

 

Big Splash Prediction

Getting Ricky Rubio or Hasheem Thabeet, most likely Rubio.

Using the second round to give depth to roster.

Using the second-round draft picks to make trade.

Not re-signing the free agents, except Rodney Carney.

 

Kahn will try to get Ricky Rubio.

Why?

Well, I'm pretty sure he wants the Wolves to be a young team, sort of like what Portland has been doing. Rubio is only 18, and will be 19 before the season starts.

The way Rubio passes with professionals is incredible, as he's already received praise from the likes of Pau Gasol (an NBA champion), and Kobe Bryant (a four-time NBA champion).

How will Kahn go about getting Ricky Rubio? Here are the steps:

First, he has to make an offer for the second pick in the draft that is owned by the Memphis Grizzles. The Wolves are not willing to give up Kevin Love, as he is one of the cornerstones of the franchise.

Enter the Wizards.

The Washington Wizards have the No. 5 pick in the draft. It's reported that the Timberwolves have offered some combination of Randy Foye and Mike Miller, along with the 18th pick, to get the No. 5 selection.

The Wizards accept the trade, then the Timberwolves posses the No. 5 and No. 6 picks.

Kahn trades those picks for the No. 2 selection, and drafts Rubio. Then, the Wolves would also have the the 28th pick, and two second-round picks.

 

Missing Out

With these trades, the Wolves lose out on Randy Foye (I really don't like that) and Mike Miller (I really like that), and the No. 5, No. 6, and No. 18 picks to get Rubio.

That is a lot!

Mike Miller refused to shoot the ball, and Randy Foye only shot 40 percent from the field last year, but he was getting better.

With the No. 5 and No. 6 picks, the best possible options are likely Tyreke Evans (a shooting guard), and Jordan Hill (a power forward), which are two positions the Wolves don't need more of.

Evans can be a point guard, but I think Minnesota needs someone who's played the position their whole career. In the 18th pick, the Timberwolves could get a point guard in Ty Lawson or Jeff Teague, or a center in B.J Mullens.

If McHale was still with the Wolves, I'd want him there to develop Mullens in the same way he did with Al Jefferson and Love, but since he was let go, this pick is nothing for a underdeveloped center.

The Timberwolves could miss out on Lawson and Teague, but when do you get an opportunity to draft a child prodigy who has a good career ahead of him?

Single Page
Vote Now! - Author Poll

If The Wolves Get The #2 Pick, Who Would You Want To See In A Wolve Uniform?

  • Ricky Rubio
  • Hasheem Thabeet
  • James Harden
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

If The Wolves Get The #2 Pick, Who Would You Want To See In A Wolve Uniform?

  • Ricky Rubio

    59.5%
  • Hasheem Thabeet

    31.1%
  • James Harden

    9.5%
  • Total votes: 74
(0)
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written on June 23, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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