Timberwolves' Trade Adds Intrigue to NBA Draft

(Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves now own fifth, sixth, 18th, and 28th picks in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. Now what do they do? Do they stay where they are or do they trade No. 6 and No. 18 to get to No. 2? If they trade up, it will be for Hasheem Thabeet, and if they stay at No. 5 and No. 6, they would end up with two smaller players.

Basically what do you want: Hasheem Thabeet and Tyreke Evans, or Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, and Austin Daye? To me, it's get out and get Thabeet, no doubt. That is what I think they will do, But Memphis will want Evans too at No. 5, so they must keep the fifth pick and leave Curry for the Grizzlies at No. 6. So here is my lottery mock with this trade in there.

1. CLIPPERS: Blake Griffin

2. TIMBERWOLVES: Hasheem Thabeet

3. THUNDER: James Harden

4. KINGS: Ricky Rubio

5. TIMBERWOLVES: Tyreke Evans

6. GRIZZLES: Stephen Curry

7. WARRIORS: Jordan Hill

8. KNICKS: Johnny Flynn

9. RAPTORS: DeMar DeRozan

10. BUCKS: Jrue Holliday

11. NETS: DeJuan Blair

12. BOBCATS: Gerald Henderson

13. PACERS: Brandon Jennings

14. SUNS: Earl Clark

Overall, this is not a strong Lottery. The NBA now takes potential over productivity and that's why they will go there, but a lot of better NBA careers will be had by lower picks, even second rounders.

I follow the draft very closely, and this is the best 1-40 draft I have seen in a decade, easy. For example, Marcus Thornton will be better than Henderson, Patty Mills will be better than Jennings, and Derrick Brown will be better then DeJuan Blair. There are a lot more examples like that in this draft. The Lakers will get a steal by the way with Toney Douglas at 30; the rich get richer.

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