NBA Draft 2011: Josh Smith and 5 Players the Timberwolves Could Acquire

No one knows what the Minnesota Timberwolves are thinking.

Rather, no one knows what David Kahn is thinking.

Nearly 10 teams have talked to the Minnesota Timberwolves about their No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and no offer seems to be good enough. As we get closer to the draft, the rumors will become slightly more dramatic, but less plausible.

I have sifted through a bunch of rumors, and I have found five players that could potentially find their way to the Twin Cities next year. Some are reasonable, others are a little more outlandish. Still, these are rumors that involve David Kahn and should be treated as such (not very seriously).

Let me know what you think of the trade options.

Andrew Bogut

Andrew Bogut could be on his way out of Milwaukee. The Bucks are nervous that they will be stuck with his large contract after a hard cap is put in place, and they do not want that to happen. Along with his elbow injury (with lingering effects), Bogut may not be the guy Milwaukee wants.

Minnesota, however, has the salary cap necessary to make a move for Bogut. Swapping picks (No. 2 to Milwaukee and No. 10 to Minnesota) along with with players (Bogut for Beasley and Milicic?) could make this deal a little more likely.

While it will depend on how much Milwaukee wants Derrick Williams, this deal could go through. It would help the Wolves immediately (give them a center and a chance to draft a shooting guard), and the Bucks would be able to unload some money while getting a potential superstar.

This is unlikely, but don't count some form of this move out.

Andrew Bynum

It would be a risky trade for both teams, but if you have a chance to land the second-best center in the league for the next 10 years, don't you have to think about it?

The Wolves are looking a few years down the line, and trading the No. 2 (and some players, including Jonny Flynn) for Andrew Bynum could be the move they need. The Lakers could take Brandon Knight at No. 2, which would solve their biggest problem (point guard), and give them new life in their quest to win right now.

With all that said, Bynum is well-known as a favorite of Jim Buss, which will probably prevent him from going anywhere.

Marcin Gortat

Now, I'm not about to say Marcin Gortat is going to be a transcendent center, but the man can play. He averaged 15 and 10 for the last two months of the year, and he is looking like he is just entering his prime.

Gortat would complement Kevin Love, and the two of them could be a part of a nucleus (along with Ricky Rubio) that hangs around Minnesota for the next five to seven years.

It may not be the dream scenario, but the Wolves would be able to turn their No. 2 pick into a proven center. Trading an uncertain player that doesn't fit your needs (Williams) for a proven player that could soon become a star? I would seriously consider it if I were David Kahn.

JaVale McGee

I hope this does not happen. While the Washington Wizards have denied any variation of this trade will go through (JaVale McGee/No. 6 for No. 2/Player X).

I'm perfectly fine with that.

McGee does not provide much more than a highlight a week, while Derrick Williams will provide that along with potential to be a superstar. For some reason, the Wizards don't want to do it.

Still, I included McGee because the Wolves like him, and I believe the offer still stands. If Washington wises up, they could make a very sneaky move to become a playoff contender for next season.

Josh Smith

This is an unlikely deal, for the Wolves will not be able to make a reasonable trade and absorb Josh Smith's contract. Still, he is an intriguing player that the Wolves could use.

If the Wolves wanted to move Michael Beasley, Darko Milicic and the No. 2 for Smith and a first-rounder for 2012. Remember, the Wolves won't have a lottery pick in 2012 because they traded it for Marko Jaric, and the one they have from the Jazz will be lottery protected.

It's something to consider.

Smith would help them defensively, and he could give the Wolves a swagger that they so desperately lack.