Let's Make a Deal: Does Anybody Want Johnny Flynn?

Earlier this week, Minnesota Timberwolves President David Kahn made it known that Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird had sought to send the Pacers' first round pick in the draft to obtain Johnny Flynn.

Flynn had a solid rookie campaign last year for the Wolves where he averaged 13.5 points and 4.4 assists. He did, however, occasionally struggle in the triangle offense.

Kahn stated that the offer to trade Flynn for the tenth overall pick in the draft was immediately rejected. Rumors subsequently circulated indicating that the Timberwolves posed a counter-offer that would have brought Danny Granger to Minnesota and the parties would exchange several draft picks.

The confirmed offer and subsequent rumor concerning Flynn raises two interesting questions. First, what other teams in the league might be interested in having Flynn? Second, what would the Timberwolves need to receive for Flynn in order to trade him?

Flynn is a very young high octane push the ball point guard who scores in the paint. Teams that would likely be interested in him are teams that like to push the ball or teams that have a veteran point guard that may be ready to groom someone to take over within the next two years.

The Timberwolves likely need a scorer or someone who can provide an inside presence. Minnesota would love to be able to get an established scorer in the league even if it meant that they would need to package Flynn with a draft pick or two to get the deal done.

The specific answers to those two questions may come when the dust settles in the form of a trade tonight.

Below is a list of ten teams that might be interested in making a trade with the Timberwolves to obtain the services of Flynn, and players that the Wolves might be interested in acquiring in return.

Joe Johnson - Atlanta Hawks

Johnson does so many good things on the basketball court—he is a solid defender who averages 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists a game.

Flynn put up better numbers than current point guard Mike Bibby and could be a long term answer in Atlanta.

David Lee - New York Knicks

The Wolves were very soft in the middle last year and David Lee, 20 points and 12 rebounds, could provide a tougher interior presence for Minnesota.

The offensive transition to a triangle offense run by the Wolves would likely be easy for Lee given the wide open style run by the Knicks.

Flynn, a former Syracuse standout, would be an immediate box office star and given the offense run by the Knicks he would flourish in the Garden as he did for the Orange.

Chris Bosh - Toronto Raptors

Bosh is one of the premier free agents this summer, and the Wolves would likely need to pair Flynn with another Wolves starter to pique the interest of Toronto—maybe Al Jefferson with the Raptors sending a reserve player or draft picks?

The Raptors might be interested, as it is always better getting something through a sign and trade deal as opposed to nothing at all.

Danny Granger - Indiana Pacers

Just because it didn't work last time doesn't mean the teams won't continue to talk. The Pacers may come back to the Wolves as there are very few free agent point guards available, and the Pacers aren't in a position to draft one of the few point guards in this year's draft.

The Pacers, while desperate, are unlikely to be stupid, so the Wolves will likely need to send an additional player (Nikola Pekovic?) or draft picks to make this deal work.

James Harden - Oklahoma City

The Wolves need a more athletic guard at the two guard position as Damien Wilkins is not the long term answer, and the jury is still out on Wayne Ellington.

The Thunder need someone who can ease the burden off of Russell Westbrook to constantly play 35 plus minutes a night.

Flynn just might be the answer.

J.R. Smith - Denver Nuggets

Smith is a solid scorer that would help the Wolves on the wing.

In exchange, the Nuggets get someone to take some of the pressure off of Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups, who looked worn down during the latter half of the season.

Jason Richardson - Phoenix Suns

The Wolves need scorers and Jason Richardson can definitely fill it up in a hurry.

The 6'6" guard would be a very nice addition to the Wolves' roster but the Suns' deep playoff run may make it difficult to acquire Jason.

Flynn would likely welcome the opportunity to learn under the tutelage of Steve Nash, and the Suns might be able to continue to play their style of basketball well into this decade after Nash retires.

Randy Foye - Washington Wizards

Foye at the two guard position is unlikely to get any shots in now that Wall is in town.

While Foye would not make sense for the Wolves to put at the point he could be a nice addition off the bench and spot starter ahead of Damien Wilkins.

Flynn to the Wizards would be a very nice combination in that Flynn would likely defer shots to the number one draft pick as he keeps the pace of the game uptempo.

Rudy Gay - Memphis Grizzlies

Minnesota has made it known that they covet Rudy Gay, and that they would love to sign him. But then again there is a long line of teams that are interested in Rudy.

Flynn may be one of several pieces of the puzzle that the Wolves dangle in front of the Grizzlies to acquire the rising star forward.

Paul Millsap - Utah Jazz

If the Jazz resign Boozer, Millsap is again relegated to limited playing time. Assuming the Wolves trade Al Jefferson for a scoring wing player and Derrick Favors falls to the Wolves in the draft, Millsap could be a nice addition to the Wolves' front line while Favors learns and transitions into the league.

The pick and roll system run by the Jazz is ideally suited to Flynn's game and while he would be the backup in Utah, the Jazz would have the best pair of point guards in the league.