NBA Draft 2011: How a Draft-Day 3-Team Deal Makes the Timberwolves Contenders

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

It is very obvious the Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping the second overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. Derrick Williams is going to be a great player, but the Wolves already have a similar player on the team in Michael Beasley.

I have heard some interesting trade scenarios that involve Andre Iguodala or Danny Granger coming to Minnesota. I have also heard some ridiculous ones involving a trade that would send the second pick to the Suns for Steve Nash—the same Steve Nash who is going to be 38 next year and wants to win now.

I have also heard rumors that the Wolves are potentially interested in trading with the L.A. Lakers for Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum.

The media really have pushed the idea that the Lakers need to blow up and start over. Although they have taken this out of proportion, I am starting to believe it may not be a bad idea.

After having an "intense" conversation with a few buddies today, we came up with a three-way trade between the Lakers, Timberwolves and Suns that has positive benefits for all three organizations.

Three-Team Deal

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Minnesota Receives:

Pau Gasol, Shannon Brown

 

Los Angeles Receives:

Steve Nash, 13th overall pick (from Suns), 20th overall pick (from Wolves), 2013 first-round pick (from Wolves) 

 

Phoenix Receives:

Second overall pick (from Wolves), Wayne Ellington, Martel Webster, Jonny Flynn 

Why It Makes Sense for the Suns

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Today's trade rumors made it very clear Steve Nash will not finish next season as a Phoenix Sun.

The franchise needs to get younger and find somebody with All-Star talent. They found a very solid center in Marcin Gortat and have role players.

Adding young shooters, along with drafting Derrick Williams, will help start the rebuilding process. 

 

Potential Starting Lineup

PG: Aaron Brooks

SG: Vince Carter

SF: Derrick Williams

PF: Channing Frye

C: Marcin Gortat

Why It Makes Sense for the Lakers

David McNew/Getty Images

Many people might think this does not make a lot of sense for the Lakers right now.

However, Steve Nash still has game and wants to win now. His ability to create and shoot the three will allow him to prolong his career.

Those picks also help the team get younger and could help them build through the draft. Since this is a "weak" draft, it might make sense to ship those picks to get into the the top 10 and get the frontcourt player they are really sold on.

My theory would be to send those two picks to the Pistons for the eighth overall selection and draft one of the European players or Tristan Thompson from Texas.

That guy to the left would want the organization to make a move like this too.

 

Potential Starting Lineup

PG: Steve Nash

SG: Kobe Bryant

SF: Ron Artest

PF: Lamar Odom

C: Andrew Bynum

Why It Makes Sense for the Wolves

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Minnesota needs to make a major splash, and they need to do it now.

Keep in mind Wolves fans, we do not have a first-round pick in a very deep draft class next year. If we don't move now, we are set back another five years from the playoffs.

I believe adding Pau Gasol makes this team a playoff contender and eventually title contender.

That's right. I said it. TITLE CONTENDER!

This will only help new point guard Ricky Rubio because they played together on the Spanish Olympic team. 

Another reason to make this happen? Look at the previous starter for the Wolves...

 

Potential Starting Lineup

PG: Ricky Rubio

SG: Wesley Johnson

SF: Michael Beasley

PF: Kevin Love 

C: Pau Gasol

 

This team now begins to look better, but let's take it to another level and really get this team built this summer.

2011 Free Agency

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Wolves are still significantly under the cap, even after adding Pau Gasol, so listen to this wild idea:

How crazy would it be if the Wolves would be able to send their newly-acquired ambassadors to recruit Marc Gasol to the Wolves? Minnesota would also be able to offer him money the Grizzlies might not be able to afford him.

If this happens, the Twin Cities will be newly named, "West Spain!" Pau's finesse complements Marc's toughness perfectly.

This stacks up Minnesota's frontcourt, this makes someone expendable and this allows the team to get better at another position.

Trade Kevin Love for James Harden

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

After adding the "Spanish Towers,"  I think it makes sense to trade Kevin Love while he is still in the spotlight. The Wolves could send Love, Nikola Pekovic and Wesley Johnson to Oklahoma City for James Harden, Nick Collison and Daequan Cook.

The money works out, and both teams get better. Personally, I think James Harden is a future All-Star who can create for himself, as well as his teammates.

Now Look at This Team

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Minnesota's New and Improved Lineup

PG: Ricky Rubio (Luke Ridnour)

SG: James Harden (Daequan Cook)

SF: Michael Beasley (Lazar Haywood or free agent)

PF: Pau Gasol (Anthony Randolph)

C: Marc Gasol (Nick Collison)

 

Now who doesn't like this team?

All this can happen—if we weren't talking about the Minnesota Timberwolves.

They never make the right move. Hopefully Minnesota will finally realize they don't have a playoff team and will not have their first-round pick next year.

Now is the time to make a move, David Kahn't.

 

For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.