Timberwolves fans have now had just over two days to consider the news of the "blockbuster" trade that Kevin McHale launched after the NBA draft.
Speaking of that, let me veer off topic for just a second.
Why does the Mecca of sporting news, ESPN, refer to this trade as a blockbuster? It involves two rookies we are expecting to be solid players, one good shooter, an aging shot-a-holic, a foreigner who's best game is off the court (Adriana Lima), and three other guys just along for the ride.
I don't think this will have quite the effect of their trade last summer. Just because it involved eight players doesn't make it a blockbuster trade. Two teams with 44 combined wins, which wouldn't be enough to make it into the West Playoffs, swapped rookies and got rid of veterans they didn't want anymore. Settle down in Bristol.
Now, onto the actual draft night.
I don't have a problem with McHale shipping OJ Mayo to Memphis. I think Kevin Love is going to bring things to our offense that Mayo might've struggled with.
Love is going to realize that Al Jefferson is the man on this team and won't force shots to get his own offense. A very underrated part of his game is his passing ability. When he gets the ball extended, whether on the block or out on the free throw line, he'll be a threat to pass the ball just as much as to shoot it.
I know what the OJ Mayo lovers are going to say. He is a good passer (and he is), but his mentality is set to score first. He's going to Memphis where he's going to come in as a rookie and be their No. 2 scorer behind Rudy Gay. The Grizzlies aren't going to need him to be a high assist guy because they drafted Mike Conley, Jr. at No. 3 last year for that.
I've always liked teams that play from the inside-out which is why I really like this pick.
The Timberwolves can now take Kirk Snyder out of the starting lineup, and perhaps replace him with Mike Miller. Or Corey Brewer can start putting Miller in the sixth man role he's thrived in.
I don't know if the Timberwolves are done making transactions this summer either.
They've got a definite problem with the starting point guard situation. Foye and Telfair are 24 and 23, respectively. Both make about the same amount of money and both look like they can run an offense.
Foye is a little bigger and a better shooter, which makes me want to keep him more. But Telfair seems to be a more natural point guard. He has amazing passing ability and got great deal of experience this past season in Foye's absence.
I don't have a problem with keeping both of them, but I don't think whoever gets the short end of the stick is going to want to stick around knowing they aren't the PG of the future.
The starters for next year's squad as of today should look something like this
PG—Randy Foye
SG—Rashad McCants
SF—Corey Brewer
PF—Kevin Love
C—Al Jefferson
Sixth man—Mike Miller (Ginobili-esque minutes)
Seventh man—Sebastian Telfair
Eighth man—Craig Smith
They're still light years away from the playoffs, but that team should win 30-35 games.
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3 months ago
Love that picture. He looks like a fool trying to come up with a decent answer to a reporter's question and is sipping on lemonade.
Great job!
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