David Kahn: Why Minnesota Timberwolves GM Kahn Should Shut Up and Draft

David Kahn Jokes About NBA Draft Conspiracy, But If He Was Smart, He'd Just Shut Up and Draft

David Kahn, the general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves joked shortly after Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery that the league gave the Cavaliers the top overall pick because it would make a good, inspiring story.

Per ESPN.com's report:

After the Cavaliers beat out the Wolves for the top spot Tuesday, Kahn said with a smirk to a group of reporters, "This league has a habit -- and I am just going to say habit -- of producing some pretty incredible story lines."

Naturally, Kahn responded to critics in his typical ham-handed manner on Thursday, delivering a textbook non-apology apology to reporters.

"I don't believe in jinxes, curses (or) hocus pocus, and I certainly don't think we were wronged," Kahn said. "But I do believe in the power of story, and I joked last night that it's a heck (of a) better story for a 14-year-old kid to beat out a couple of middle-aged executives standing together on a stage on national TV -- and that our league seems to always have its own share of luck in being a part of these stories."
Kahn added: "That was the entire meaning of what I said last night in a joking fashion and what I believe was received in such fashion."

While Kahn is right; he was clearly joking, he'd be wise to just shut up and draft his team, because as history has shown us, he struggles to do that well even without implying conspiracy. The fact is, it wouldn't surprise me if the league did give the Cavs the top pick on purpose, not because they were the better story but because they didn't trust Kahn to use it right.

Take 2009, for instance. With three first round picks and a chance to reinvent his franchise, Kahn instead opted to draft three point guards with three picks. The first, Spaniard Ricky Rubio, was a no-brainer, but Kahn promptly baffled NBA fans everywhere by taking Syracuse's Jonny Flynn with the next pick. Kahn went point guard again at 18th overall, grabbing Ty Lawson, and cemented his place among the ranks of brain-dead basketball executives.

Kahn didn't do much better last year, grabbing Wesley Johnson, then taking two more forwards with his two other picks in the first round.

Before Kahn starts complaining about where his team is drafting, he might want to start actually thinking through his draft choices. The fact is, the T-Wolves have a no-brainer pick this year (Arizona forward Derrick Williams), but I'll be more shocked if Kahn actually takes him than if he doesn't. That's how inept he is at drafting talent; you're stunned when he actually gets a pick right.

In the end, by trying to play the Baby Ruth in the Cavs' pool, Kahn did little more than call to light his own draft foibles. Perhaps next time, he'll just keep his mouth closed.

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