2010 NBA Draft: Timberwolves Could Be Headed for Another Debacle
It may have been for all the wrong reasons, but General Manager David Kahn certainly engineered a memorable draft for the Timberwolves in 2009. Based on the latest rumors and speculation surrounding the 2010 NBA Draft, it appears that Kahn could be headed for another disaster.
Multiple reports indicate that the New Jersey Nets are taking a serious look at Syracuse swingman Wesley Johnson and could make him the third overall pick Thursday.
The possibility that Johnson is off the board should be enough to create a fair amount of panic in the Timberwolves’ camp.
Johnson would be a logical selection at No. 4 for a Minnesota team desperately seeking a perimeter scorer and capable shooter.
Already facing a difficult situation with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love vying for minutes at the same position, the Timberwolves could be forced to trade down to eliminate the possibility of adding third power forward to the roster.
After John Wall, Evan Turner, and Johnson, no perimeter players will likely be selected until at least No. 8 when the Clippers will look at Al-Farouq Aminu, who projects as a small forward at the NBA level. Luke Babbitt or Gordon Hayward could go No. 9 to Utah.
None of those three players belong in the top-five of the draft.
In order to find minutes for Love and another young power forward yet to be determined, Kahn needs to move Al Jefferson. The trade would also free up cap room for the Timberwolves’ courtship of Rudy Gay this summer.
Kahn has been pursuing trading partners in recent weeks but has found no takers as of yet. NBA teams realize that the Minnesota is in a difficult position and won’t overpay for Jefferson, who had an inconsistent 2009-2010 season after suffering a knee injury in early 2008.
He is owed $42 million in the next three seasons and would certainly be a risky acquisition.
If the Nets select Johnson, Kahn faces the harsh reality that he must select another power forward.
That might not mean Derrick Favors
After Favors worked out for the Timberwolves on June 17, Kahn had some interesting comments for reporters.
“He (Favors) appears to be out of shape.”
Another possibility is DeMarcus Cousins, who is the closest thing to an Al Jefferson clone in the 2010 Draft.
Kahn said Tuesday that it is “highly unlikely” that the Timberwolves will trade down in the draft, meaning that Minnesota’s draft destiny hinges primarily on whether or not the Nets bypass Johnson.
For the moment at least, it appears that the fate of the franchise is out of Kahn’s hands.
Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
