The Rake Magazine

According to Sid Herbert Hill is coming in for a workout. I'm happy to say I was wrong about McHale sleeping on him.

The Wolves should take Herbert hill with the #41 pick: http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/herberthill.html

Just what Patrick ordered, a big guy with athleticism to play D and get boards. No Minnesota or Boston connection though so McHale won't know about him since he can't be bothered to look anywhere else.

Yes, definitely not take Humphrey with a pick. We should have a shot at a real player in round 2. We are high enough that we could probably pick up somebody that falls out of the first round. Taureen Green apparently has been impressive in the predraft camp, and Big Baby would be a great 2nd round gamble. You also can't go wrong taking a big guy with athleticism, and groom him to play D and grab boards.

No way we should just toss out our second round pick on a player like humphries. The second round could hold the finish point guard (I forget his name), Taureen Green or Big Baby. Humphries will be trying to hook up with a team after the draft.

If we're looking for threes, it's far better to use that pick on nichols from syracuse or Lewis from Ohio State.

Also,

I think Fred Hoiberg was a legit 6' 5". At least he alwasys looked that height to me from my vantage point. But, Randy Foye and Rashad McCants seem a bit less than 6' 2" rather than their listed 6' 4". Again, that just from my vantage point, so I might be wrong. Not that I am comparing the abilities of Humphrey with those two, I just don't always no what to make of the listed hieghts.

Yeah, 6'2" is small. I mention him becasue he has been succesful in colege and seemed to have the ability to hit big shots in big games.

I agree, though, at his height he is probably a long shot. I'd give him a look, though.

Lee Humphrey, huh? I can't pretend to be a college hoops expert, but I looked at the roster page and he's listed at 6'2.

He shot 45% 3's in college, but I am afraid that won't make up for his lack of height and PG skills in the NBA. Add to that the longer line, better defenders, and inability to guard an opposing player.

The Mayor was an absolute stud in college, with a more complete game and better size, and even then he was pretty much relegated to 3 ball specialist in the NBA.

Who knows, maybe he can beat the odds? But they are long odds.

Patrick,

In regard to the 3-ball specialist. I have not heard any comment on this guy especially with his four underclass teammates declaring themselves eliglble for the draft. But, doesn't Lee Humphrey seem like a pure shooter in the mold of Fred Hoiberg. Obviously, he is not a lottery pick and perhaps the Wolves should not waste their second round pick on him either (But, what the hell, why not?), but he sure would be worth bringing to camp as a free agent for a look and assinging him to the developmental league to hone his shooting til it adjusts to the NBA three point line.

Just a thought.

I'd rather have the Mark Blount that we saw in the first half of last year (when he seemed engaged and was regularly going off for 15-20) than both Crawford and Q. Q has a bad back, and can't hit the three anymore (his only skill when healthy). Crawford needs the ball in his hands the whole game to be effective, and has shown no consistency throughout his career. Adding him to the mix would retard the growth of our young guys.

I agree though, we need players that can contribute NOW... rebounding, veterans, and a 3 ball specialist (a healthy one with a much smaller contract than Q).

Ricky Davis's expiring contract should be able to deliver something better than more overpaid perimter players.

Yeah... Crawford and Q may be toxic waste, but I have to admit that having them on the Wolves would grab my interest slightly more than another year with Blount and Davis -at least for one year. (Is it just me, or does anyone else find themselves rooting against Ricky Davis, even with the Wolves?) I just hope KG ends up somewhere where he won't have to play with any of them.

I think we need to get some players who can help us now. We shouldn't go into full rebuilding mode until after the clippers and celtics take our picks. If nothing else, because it would be extremely painful to watch another team benefit from our crummy record.

p.s. How about LBJ tonight! This series is actually pretty fun to watch. Too bad it already seems like a consolation series and the *real* NBA finals were spoiled by NBA execs.

Glad to see the Wolves blog is still going. Thought that long Twins piece killed it (no offense Britt, but still focused on hoops until the draft).

Yeah, really, no way in hell Kobe is coming here. But, I love the trade demand for the offseason drama. There's also a much better chance KG stays, now that every GM is occupied trying to piece together a trade with the Lakers.

I am also not buying Kobe's backpedalling today. The damage is done, and the Lakers are just trying to buy some time to keep the bids high.

Snyder- Jamal Crawford and Q are toxic waste! With big contracts no less.

I agree that Kobe's not coming here. In my dream world, he'd get sent to purgatory in Atlanta, but his no-trade clause precludes that. Could we participate in a multi-team deal to perhaps facilitate Kobe going to say, New York?

After reading Bill Simmons' blog, I played around on Trade Machine and came up with this:

Wolves send Davis, Blount, Hassell and Jaric to Lakers. Lakers send Kobe to Knicks and Radmanovic and Maurice Evans to Wolves. Knicks send Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson to Wolves.

Cap situation for Wolves would basically be a wash (still capped out forever), but Wolves gain scoring, range, and athleticism and get rid of head cases (Davis, Blount) and fragile egos (Jaric). I hate giving up Hassell, but if it means we can dump Blount, I'd have to go for it.

I hate to spoil the fantasy, but no way does Kobe come here. As I understand it, he has a no-trade clause in his contract which I'm sure he wouldn't waive to come play in Minnesota. Besides, LA wouldn't take our garbage and *especially* w/out a 1st rounder. I would guess the Clippers, Dallas or Chicago will nab him.

Folks..

I know Kobe and KG..

FORGET ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's what prolly would come out of McHales mouth "Noooo, he doesn't fit into our sytem at that price".

Like there's anything on the Wolves roster besides KG that you wouldn't give.

If any player McHale has ever traded for and added a first round pick this would be the one.

Here's the problem folks. Remember the NBA won't let a team give up picks in consecutive years. And the Lakers would want now.

If he's traded I speculate multi team deal.

No player as good as Kobe or in his prime like Kobe has been traded since probably Kareem in the 70s, or maybe Moses in the early 80s. This would be HUGE... much bigger than Shaq or AI or McGrady trades of recent years. And even a KG trade would slightly pale in comparison to Kobe being moved. Exciting!

Ohhhhh, well now,

First, would Kobe ever in a million years come here?

Second, although I think KG and Kobe and anyone else you can put in the roster next to these two is an improvement for next year, I am not sure it puts the Wolves in the running for a championship. I would rather trade KG to LA with the idea that we are rebuilding around new young talent than to give up another pick for a chance at mildly improving for a year or two and then an even more dire outcome after Kobe and KG completely fall off of their game or leave.

I am afraid bringing Kobe to the Wolves does not do much for me unless it is a trade that keeps the pick Foye, McCants, and Smith on the roster and jettisons Avis, Hudson, Blount and James to LA.

agreed, Flandango. We got nothing to lose. (except KG if the Wolves make no move).

We need to make an offer to the Lakers for Kobe now. Right goddamn now. The pick, Foye, Hassel, RD, Blount, the whole team for him.

Thanks for the level head, liley, it's probably not as bad as anyone is feeling. I think everyone got hopeful because it looks like there are two real impact players and everyone (including Boston & Memphis) figured they had twice the chance of a superstar. Even without them, this looks like a strong draft (which is good for us).

I don't agree with the lack of impact for rookies. If we leave out Duncan, because David Robinson was coming back from injury, we still have Olajuwan, Bird, Shaq, Kareem (at that point Lew), and David Robinson. I think Odon is a sure thing of a big man. He's already bigger and stronger than most centers he'll play against. Can you imagine what he would do against Blount or Madson? I shudder to think of it.

Let's hope McHale's string of good drafts continues. I'm hoping for a KG type of miracle assessment rather than a Avery bust. (oddly, Sports Illustrated gave us an A that year for picking Wally over Rip and Avery over Artest so McHale wasn't the only one fooled).

I think that maybe people are being a little too negative. As good a set of players as Durant and Oden are, they're not going to come in and catapult their teams to contention in the first two years. Nobody does that, not lebron, not melo, not Yao. For Seattle, at best Durant will replace the now gone Lewis. For Portland, Oden will not immediately be a huge upgrade over their already strong front court, especially since they'll be ditching Randolph and perhaps Aldridge.

Looking at the Wolves, I think we're in a better position to improve this year than any of the other teams in our division. Foye and McCants are both up and coming players, who will be entering into their second real seasons in the NBA healthy (fingers crossed). Both of these players, more than likely, will turn out to be close to 20 ppg scorers and good defenders. KG's skills are not deteriorating quickly, so by keeping him and patching up the holes at either center or Sf in the draft we have a chance to improve tremendously next season.

A lineup of Foye, McCants/Davis, Brewer/other drafted Sf, KG, and Mohammed/Mediocre center is much better than the lineup we had this season and has a chance to compete for the playoffs as soon as next year. Honestly we need not be so negative.

I think I'd have to agree that we may need to pick Noah, given what we know right now. I am definitely thinking more Varejao than Kirlenko (let's face it, the guy can't shoot). But an active, high motor, 7 footer that can give you 25-30 min. of good defense and rebounding every night is nothing to sneeze at.

Yi could slide up to #3 or to the low end of the lotto once the workouts begin.

Julian Wright, though I haven't seen much of him, seems to lack the smoothness and scoring ability that one would expect in a SF rated so high.

I guess, I wouldn't be pissed if we got Noah, but I wouldn't be thrilled either.

Good point by Patrick. Crap!

I'd have to say Noah in that case. I know a lot of folks think he's overrated and his game may not translate as well to the NBA, but man, I think he's less of a question mark than Yi and having both Noah and KG would give the Wolves a heck of a wingspan on defense.

But then, I know next to nothing about Julian Wright other than Chad Ford says he's a "more aggressive and athletic Boris Diaw" whereas Noah is described as "Anderson Varejao meets Andrei Kirilenko."

Yi could very well be good, but nobody has seen him play in a game against anything resembling NBA-level competition, plus, nobody has anything to say about whether he can play defense at all. And given the Wolves' luck with the draft, I'm betting if they take him, he'll be the biggest bust since Denver took Nikoloz Tskitishvili fifth overall in 2002.

Anyone want to try and make a case for Spencer Hawes? :-)

Snyder,

I was imagining an even worse scenario the other day. It's possible that Horford, Conley, Brewer, B Wright are all taken by #7 and the Wolves are left with a choice between Yi, Julian Wright, and Noah. All three of whom are pretty big question marks (in my mind).

In fact, that scenario might actually be probable. Who do we take then?

My favorite part of the entire game yesterday was when Flip subbed in Delfino for McDyss with 35 seconds left in the game. If you were watching closely you saw Sheed, clearly upset with the substitution throw a little Sheed tantrum which Delfino caught out of the corner of his eye, and then smirked. This was all caught on camera, I nearly died.

Anyone notice about 20 fouls in the last minute that weren't called? People other than LeBron were getting mugged at the finish, no calls.

OK - so we know the Wolves won't have a shot at Oden or Durant, but here's my question.

Let's say at #7, you have a choice between Brandan Wright or Corey Brewer. Who do you take? Brewer is a wing, which we already have too many of, but Wright has question marks about how hard he'll play, which we already have too many of also.

Or do we just pray that each of those guys and hopefully Yi get taken before #7, which may let Horford fall to us if everyone is correct in predicting Atlanta will finally address their PG needs by taking Conley?

Pistons eke out another, with Sheed having a monster game. We get used to those numbers by watching KG, but he was efficient on offense and a force defensively.

I don't think LeBron drives the lane to close the game without getting a foul if the game happens in Cleveland, so Detroit needs to do better if they hope to win. And obviously, the Cavs won't win if Z puts up another effort like tonite. Prince has made one shot during these two games. If he plays normally, these would have been coasting games for the Pistons. Hopefully the Cavs can play better at home (tho I still want Detroit to win).

Sorry to get off the subject of the draft, but I feel ridiculous hoping for a guy to make the wolves significantly better, when Seattle and Portland will both be MUCH better. I'm a little frightened about trading with Portland. That's a savvy GM over there. Does everyone remember where their rookie of the year pick came from?Telfair and cash! How can you fleece two teams for one pick?

OK - according to ESPN's Trade Machine, getting Pryz is a little harder than it looks because he's a base-year compensation player, meaning a team that tried to trade his salary could take back only a salary equal to 50 percent of the BYC player's salary, or about $2.6 million in Pryz's case.

So you'd have to figure out a package of contracts to send and/or take back in order to make it work. For example, Pryz + Dan Dickau for Hassell + Madsen would work. Or Pryz + Fred Jones for Jaric + McCants would work. Or Pryz + Dickau for Davis would work. I don't know that I would actually like to see the Wolves to propose any of these trades or that Portland would bite on them, but they would work under salary cap rules.

I didn't really try any scenarios with Hudson since I can't imagine any way to get Portland to take him unless we either gave up KG or took Randolph off their hands. Given KG's big cap number, we'd probably have to do both.

It's the Blount THud thing that's so depressing. I think Jaric is overplayed, but not a detriment on the court.

It's not likely that the problem is money with Taylor, since he wanted a bigger name than Casey, but McHale convinced him to go younger.

I think Wittman was extended because Taylor has a pathological need to follow through on promises. Even after the Joe Smith fiasco, it's more important that he follow through than do things helpful for the team. THud is the perfect example, and Wittman is the confirmation.

Snyder, Ask and he shall receive,

Pryzy is making around the same as Davis, James, Jaric, and Hassell. Portland's biggest need- perimeter players!!

Portland take your pick, you throw in a scrub or we will to make it match (depending on who they want).

I doubt they'd want Davis anywhere near their young players, but Hassell and Jaric would both fit well. Mike James could also get some decent minutes on that squad.

Could they do better? Maybe, but Pryzy's got the MN connection, and they'll need to get rid of him unless they plan on shelving LaMarcus Aldridge.

PS- With the exception of Huddy, our contracts NOT that bad. Sure a few are too long (Jaric, Blount), but the dollars per season are not nearly as big as some teams are stuck with.

Seriously people, the negativity is getting ridiculous. There are plenty of teams that have Jaric and Blount money combined locked up in a single player that sucks worse than either of them.

Not to knock Andy B, but "Someone young and eager to coach in the NBA who would have the respect of the players. " sounds a lot like Dwane Casey and look how he was treated.

My guess is anyone else fitting that mold would shy away from the Wolves after seeing that. I'm not sure I buy the "Taylor is cheap" argument for why Wittman was retained. Another theory is that nobody else mentioned so far would want the job so long as McHale is still around.

As for trade possibilties, I do agree with the point made that we're not going to get young talent or draft picks for what we're willing to offer. That's why I think someone like Joel Pryzbilla might make sense. Find some guys who aren't working out where they are now but could maybe fill needs we have, in this case, a big man who's not afraid to play defense. Here's the question now: what could we offer Portland in exchange that they might actually want?

Wittman has to sound optimistic because the franchise can't sell a rebuilding effort, which we all know is coming. They've got huge contracts locked up for years to come and are going to lose two first round picks in the next five years.

We all think things are bad now, but wait until KG leaves, the club is among the worst in the NBA and then has to give lotto picks to the Clips and Celts. And of course, one of those picks will end up being number one because that's how things go for our Woofies.

My take on Wittman: He still has the job because he's cheap and a company man, pure and simple.

I just wrote a long post about what the Wolves need to do to make the playoffs in even two years' time.

And i deleted it.

No way Taylor/Mchale make the needed moves - either blowing up the team with a couple of big deals or, even less likely, shrewdly making smart moves within their current limitations (probably the most limited team in the league in terms of long-term contracts to mediocre-at-best players).

At least we'll get to see Durant and Oden more than once a year. I'm choosing to see that as a plus.

Yo,

Tom

ZMan,

You might have a point and I agree they would never pay for a guy like Van Gundy or Carlisimo. However, there are probably other's out there who could be had for the same price as Wittman that I'd be willing to hand the reins to.

Someone young and eager to coach in the NBA who would have the respect of the players. I don't have any names, but someone who looks a lot like Mitchell before he signed his new contract with Toronto and was the lowest paid coach in the NBA.

Zman,

Interesting observations. There has been an "on the cheap" undertone in recent years, beginning with the Casey hiring. Now Wittman, and keeping McHale on when he should have been fired 10x over.

Anways, just read speculation that the Blazers would probably be looking to ship Pryzy when/if they draft Oden, and the Wolves were cited as the logical suitor. I think this would be great. Pryzy would be twice the player next to KG, and provide a huge help on D.

If we can make a move like this, pick up a PF in the draft, and find a vet who can hit threes...things will be looking way up.

Another comment on Wittman. I don't think he is a great coach, and I think his relatively low salary requirements are a factor in keeping him.

At the same time, it is completely unfair and inaccurate to judge him soley on his record last year. Wittman had a brief transition period, that was followed by full-on tank mode. Don't tell me the Wolves couldn't have won 5-10 more games had they been trying and Wittman was able to play the guys that were performing.

You are all way too optimistic with these trade scenarios.

Blount and Hudson are literally untradeable, unless you take a flawed player with a terrible contract in return.

As for Jaric, James and Hassel, they can be traded, but not for first round picks, nor for young talent.

Besides the newly signed coach is quoted in the Pioneer Press that "It's not a situation that calls for a total rebuilding project to get back into the playoffs." Holy shit, McHale found a way to project himself through Wittless Wittman. He also said, "I think we have to look to restructure what we have here."

McCants, Foye and Smith are solid, young players, but none are likely going to be remembered for how many championships they win. Besides KG, they are the only talent on the roster that could fetch a draft pick in return.

As for KG, I am now firmly in favor of trading him, even though we'll never get a fair return. But it's better than no return because whenever he wants his current deal to expire, he'll bolt for the chance at a championship like Payton and Malone. I'd try for Stoudemire first and then Deng and Thomas second.

The fact is, we needed the first pick, otherwise we're all left following McHale's leadership and agreeing with Wittman that we only need to restructure what we curently have? I think he means that Blount will play small forward.

I think the Wolves have some serious money problems and they signed Wittman because he came cheap. If you don't think this is the case then why did they trade Roy for Foye and a miilion bucks? Look for them to keep KG in the hope that he will opt out after next season and they will get over $20 million off the payroll.

I do like the idea of getting Bynum and Maggette for KG. Hibbert is staying in college so he's out of draft. I like the idea of Brewer or Noah because of the idea they have experienced WINNING. TWICE.

I think it was Asch that wrote the article last year that very few on the wolves roster had actually experienced winning, at any level, then compared that to the Bulls roster, where most of the roster was in the final four duriing their collegiate careers.

It seems to make a difference. Conley might be a guard but if the wolves keep KG, they have to get some help up front.

Banks for Jaric, that's crazy. I actually think Jaric is a good sixth man, and a good defender. Someone has to defend, and I'm still a Craig Smith fan that thinks he will be a Carl Boozer type player in the future.

Have to say i agree with midlife crisis. There's a solid group of talent that may be available at 7, Horford (my personal favorite) perhaps Brendon Wright, Julian Wright, Corey Brewer, Jeff Green

My fear: McHale being McHale because he's McHale will take Yi or Spencer Hawes and we're screwed. Don't be fooled by Yi, the tapes I've seen is him posting up a 5 9 in trainer. I've been hearing he "could be the next Yao" who is a quality center, but can't his team out of the first round. Oh McHale, why do you torment us? Can't you just go to your cabin and stare at the lake and leave us alone?

Stern should look at the extension of Wittman and immediately take away our draft pick. The ink from that won't wash any easier than the blood off Lady MacBeth's hands.

When we think about trades, we should remember that nobody has to trade with us. And because they don't have to, they won't. There is no way Phoenix trades for pretty Ricky. Nor will Portland take Blount or THud. We have both of those players for the rest of their careers. Only the expiring contract and high talent makes me hope Ricky will move. I just can't imagine anyone taking him. We'll go through next year with James, Blount and THud, and there's a good chance Davis stays too.

Honestly, with the Wittman extension, what little wind I had in my sails has sagged. Who killed the albatross? We're going to be floating like this for a loooong time.

Moroni,

you are correct. The wolves have a long history of overpaying their own players and now, their own coaches.

McHale actually seemed to know what he was doing during the beginning of his tenure. Trading attitude problems (Laetner, Rider) and acquiring solid pieces (Gugliotta). [Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly].

But ever since Marbury left and the Joe Smith contract fiasco we've been in a scramble to rebuild on the fly. It's been awful.

You realize, even if we suck for the next 5 years, we'll only get 3 first round draft picks (Clippers and Boston own then unconditionally in 2010 and 2012).

McHale needs to think simple. Dumps the lazy a*holes, dump bad contracts at the guard position for bad contracts at the forward and center position (with guys that hustle even if overpaid--e.g., Trenton Hassell). Try to trade Ricky D's expiring contract for a late first round pick and possibly a player.

Yet another trade idea:

Jaric and Davis to Phoenix

Diaw, Banks, and #29 in this year's draft (or phoenix's #1 next year or in 2010) to Minnesota.

Phoenix is way over the luxury tax threshold and needs to save money.

Banks: Approx 4.5 million thru 2011

Diaw: Approx 9 million thru 2012

Jaric: $7.5 thru 2011

Davis: $6.8 expires after this season

*We would need to trade James to unclog the PG position*

Why does Minnesota do it?

We get rid of Jaric for an equally bad jump shooter (banks) who has a friendlier contract. Banks can be a back up point guard on a shitty team (the Wolves). We get of rid of Davis, a huge chemistry problem is solved. Diaw is solid. Nash helped him out in Phoenix but he's a good player. He can defend the players Jaric defended and is a gifted passer. Wolves get a draft pick, cheap talent if chosen wisely.

Phoenix: Instead of paying 13.5 million thru 2011, they pay 7.5 million thru 2011. This saves $13 million in luxury tax (I believe the tax is 100% of salaries exceeding the threshold).

Can Diaw be more of a stiff than Jaric? I hate Marcus Banks but I'd take him to get rid of Marko. Marko barely plays for us anyway.

The wolves take on salary, Taylor will not want to do this. He should if he really values winning. Having a draft pick in 2010 would also save face when the Wolves suck and dont' have a pick.

OK, my distaste for Wittman is well documented on this blog but my friend and I were discussing how illogical it is to sign Wittman and it deserves reiteration.

Dwane Casey was fired because the Wolves played inconsistenly under his regime, he was 20-20.

Wittman, brought in to replace Casey, was 12-30, in other words, consistently bad.

Instead of waiting to see what coaches would be available to coach the Wolves this offseason, the front office immediately pledges allegiance to Wittman after the season. While proven winners Rick Carlisle and Jeff Van Gundy are released from their positions, they aren't in consideration to coach the Wolves because the Wolves were set on Wittman. Why wouldn't the front office shop around, at least play the market? Were they concerned Wittman would get a better coaching offer (hahahahaha) because he's proven to be so effective? Then, on top of bringing Wittman back next year, we're signing him for several seasons. Really? WHY??? Again, no other team has any interest in Randy Wittman as a head coach. It's not like we're in competition with other teams for his services. That being said, why would you give him a multiyear deal? The whole situation is entirely illogical and may make my head explode when the Wolves can't get the ball in play after a timeout next season.

Well, Moroni, at least a hobo's life has been spared.

I just read that Wittman signed a multiyear deal today.

All this talk about trades and draft picks. I could care less. I just can't watch this same roster next year.

I can't see any more of Ricky Davis or Hudson. I am tired of Blount, too.

Give me Jaric, Foye, McCants or Hassell, KG, Smith and the new kid and get rid of the rest. I like Brewer, but only if we can trade Ricky Davis for a Big and bring in a veteran point guard. I like Conley and Law, but we also need to fill the big guy role somehow. Between Foye and McCants one probably needs to go in a trade for either a point guard or a rebounder/defender. Hassell may have to be thrown in too.

I completely disagree with antonymous about Spencer Hawes. His upside is Rik Smits. We do not need another Rik Smits. (He also suffered through minor injury issues all year this year. That is all we need, some 7 foot dude with injury issues). Hawes is too risky.

Florida guys: I would draft Hoford in a second. He's a beast! Noah can probably rebound and provide energy ( a huge upgrade over madsen, huge!). Brewer would be great, but if we get him we have got to find a way to get ride of all of our guards and small forwards. We cannot have Brewer, and Ricky and Hassell and Jaric. It's ridiculous.

TRADE: Ricky Davis for Boris Diaw. It works under the cap rules (so says ESPN trade machine). Diaw is getting paid until 2010 at $9 million a year. Ouch! But, he's tall and is not a jerk. Ricky's contract expires after this year and the Suns are trying to dump some payroll. Wolves should pick up Diaw. He won't be as good in MN as he was in Phoenix, but again...he's 6-8, he has a pulse and he understands what winning is like. If we could also get phoenix's (second) first round pick at 29 it would be awesome. Or perhaps try to get their first round pick at some date in the future. [This seems unlikely, but what the hell.]

Wait Frrred-

I was thinking...

Not only would he give a 1st rounder to complete the deal...

He wouldn't make it lottery protected either.

Patrick,

Here's the rationale behind the trades. I like Corey Maggette, despite his coach offering him around the league. From what I can tell, the reason he's on the block is because his coach doesn't like him, which is far different from him being washed up. As far as I can remember he's never been arrested; I also haven't seen him dog a game. As for Rickey, the problem his contract is in a no man's land. He's making just under seven million, which means that if you want any eight figure players, you need to add another player. Unless we give up McCants (which I am loathe to do, personally), we have to surrender someone from the Madsen/Hassell/Jaric troika (and depending on the salaries, it may not even be a three player choice).

The only other decent player I see on the block in the 6-11 range is Jason Richardson, and he could very well have played himself back into Golden State's good graces. Richardson and Maggette have comparable numbers, except that Richardson gets more points per game, and he can't do free throws to save his life (he's is also two years younger, to be fair). Finally, Richardson seems like far more of an injure risk that Maggette does.

As for Odom and Bynum together, remember that they are playing on a team dominated by Kobe Bryant. On a team that gives them more shots, their points should increase accordingly. And unless they turn into Kobes themselves, I don't see them losing too much efficiency with the added shots.

For Odom singularly, I should mention that I don't view him as a long term solution. But he is only 28 right now, and his contract would expire after 2008-2009 season. This would give the Wolves two years to find a replacement, as well as have a veteran starter on the team who can actually play (I'm looking at you, Mike James). Also, I imagine he would kill for the opportunity to prove that he is still worth a damn.

I think we have to agree to disagree on Bynum. Right now he is playing 22 minutes a game, and I think that as you increased that into the 30s and gave him the ball more, he would respond well, especially on a non-Lakers team. For what it's worth (i.e. nothing), basketball-reference lists his similarity by age as making him the next Tyson Chandler. And I could definitely get behind that.

The reason to trade KG is not to get Odom, but to get Bynum and picks. Right now, trading KG for Odom, Bynum, Snowboardy McGee, and picks is 75 cents on the dollar. The problem is that it's the best deal we could land for him at this point. Last offseason, the Bulls were rumored to have offered Deng, Gordon, the Knicks pick, and contracts for Kevin Garnett. The T-Wolves thought it was an insulting deal. I imagine that if was offered today, it would be the Bulls turn to be insulted. Garnett's value is decreasing year by year, and considering what happened to the Northwest Division last night, his stock is going to plummet again this year due to a horrifically brutal schedule. If we don't shake up the team dramatically, we're going to become the 2007 Kansas City Royals of the NBA.

As for an oncourt leader, I think that would eventually be either Conley and Foye. Foye showed that he was really comfortable when the Wolves handed him the car keys last season, and I believe Conley to be the fourth best player in the draft behind Oden, Durant, and Horford (I would take Conley over Horford, though). I also disagree that the hypothetical Wolves would need a superstar (it's as much a media creation as it as a type of person; look how much the lack of one has hurt Detroit). They would need leadership, but that could come from the coach for the first year or two if Foye and Conley aren't ready.

But then, this is a hypothetical Wolves team where Wittman has been fired and replaced with Rick Carlisle.

Finally, this may be a "good, but not great" team, but it's far better than the 2000 Clippers. I would contend they are more like a Baby Bulls than anything. And almost making the playoffs is our fate for the next decade. The sooner we accept it, the happier we'll be.

I wasn't holding my breath during the lottery, odds were that we were going to get the number 7 pick, and we did, it wasn't a devastating night for me. I thought the team that came out worst other than the Celts and Grizz was the Suns. Can you imagine if Atlanta hadn't moved up to #3? The Suns with the number 4-6 pick would be deadly, now they have to wait another year while Nash quietly ages.

If you're Portland, wouldn't you pick Durant over Oden? Seems like they have the middle pretty locked up with Aldridge and Randolph, not to mention the Pryz. Seems like their lottery luck will likely mean they'll be busy this offseason. I'll throw this out there, Randolph and Miles are beyond being on the table. Portland has talked up getting a team of "good guys" together since the breakup of the Jailblazers, but Miles and Randolph are still around. Portland will be doing everything in its power to get those guys off the team before the season begins. I despise Randolph's game and under no circumstance would I want him on any team I root for, but I would be willing to take a flier on Miles. He's always idolized KG, he seems like a generally likeable guy, just in the wrong situation in Portland. I could almost see Portland taking back Blount or Hudson in a trade with the Blazers, which would be a jackpot for the Wolves.

Portland will be good next year, Seatle has a few years to go before they'll compete in th WC. Things are not as down for the Wolves as everyone on here makes it sound, if we weren't bringing Wittman back I would be optimistic about next season, too bad. I would kill a hobo if someone told Van Gundy would become the Wolves next coach upon his death.

First of all, that was a very disappointing draft. I really can't imagine getting punched in the gut much harder, especially knowing the odds Portland and Seattle beat.

Bright spot: Oden and Durant are both freshman. Can we name some high-impact freshman who have gone so high in the draft? For every Melo, there's also a Marvin Williams, Tyrus Thomas, etc. who won't make an immediate impact, or maybe an impact at all until their rookie deal is up! I also think Brandan Wright is overrated - it's hard to make it in the NBA when you're so young (right, Sebastian?)

Anyway, I'd much rather have an older, "developed" player at this point anyway. I think Brewer could have the biggest immediate impact, and we're going to need a potentially excellent wing defender if we want to make progress this season - oh what I wouldn't do for a reduction in Ricky's minutes! Don't get me wrong though - Brewer is the ONLY Gator I would want. I think we're really gotta consider what position they are going to fill on our squad, as well as our needs.

In this regard, Conley or Hawes may not be a bad picks either...yes, both are frosh, which I dissed earlier, but they're also at crucial positions for us...Conley, hopefully a creator and distributor, and Hawes with maybe some low-post scoring ability.

(also, click my name for some dated entertainment)

I knew better than to think the Wolves would get #1 or #2, but I was anxious during the countdown from #10 that maybe they could get #3 and take Horford.

I guess I'm happy enough that at least the Portland and Seattle move-ups didn't come at our expense. Can you imagine what the Celtics and Grizzlies fans were feeling last night?

Question: since Atlanta has #3 and everyone swears they are now finally going to take the PG they've needed forever, is there any chance the Wolves could trade up from #7 to #3? Is he really that good to be worth the #3 pick and is there any team in the #4 through #6 slots that would take him if Atlanta traded down? Right now, Chad Ford has the Wolves getting Brandan Wright at #7 with Horford going to the Bucks at #6. Maybe Wright will have one of those monster workouts that the Bucks fall in love with...

By the way, jianfu will be happy to know that ESPN is reporting that Hibbert will return to Georgetown for his senior year - apparently he can do that since he didn't hire an agent.

This is a fairly deep draft, and there will still be some very good players left at #7. They may not be immediate-impact players, but then again, they might.

And I have full confidence that the McHale brain trust will overlook all of them to find the highest-ranking dud available. I suspect Neal has it right: we'll get Spencer Hawes. Or much worse, Josh McRoberts.

Being a Wolves fan hasn't been this miserable since, I dunno, 1991?

McCleak- The Maggette and Odom connection got me thinking aged Clippers, but also the generally "good, not great" nucleus of young players. No leadership, no superstar. It looks like a core of players that could "almost make the playoffs" for the next decade.

I still contend that trading KG to the Lakers is ludicrous. Odom has always been a poor man's KG (at best), and his health is rapidly deteriorating. Bynum has shown almost nothing in two years (a rich man's Olowakandi?). The rest of the team is total garbage.

Don't get me wrong. I like a lot of your ideas but not the trades with the Lakers or the move to get Maggette. Ricky's expiring contract is worth more than Maggette, who the Clippers have been trying to pawn off on every team out there for the last three years.