Wolves still trying to decide on draft strategy

The Wolves continue to investigate what they can get if they decide to trade down.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: June 25, 2008 - 6:23 PM

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Timberwolves executives interviewed West Virginia forward Joe Alexander by telephone Tuesday as they continue to investigate trading their third overall pick to move down in Thursday's NBA draft.

Alexander declined an invitation to work out at Target Center to concentrate on working out with teams -- New York at No. 6 and Milwaukee at No. 8 among them -- more likely to draft him.

"You'd like to see everybody," Wolves assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg said, "but it usually works out that you just can't."

The Wolves also want to talk by phone with Kansas State forward Michael Beasley -- just in case they can somehow grasp him on draft night -- but likely will be denied by Beasley's agent.

If the Wolves move down anywhere from one to five draft slots, they would do so betting that a player such as UCLA's Kevin Love, Stanford's Brook Lopez, Italian forward Danilo Gallinari or perhaps Alexander is still on the board.

Here's a look at the teams picking near the Wolves and what teams might have to offer in any draft-night jockeying.

• Miami (second overall pick): The Wolves own a Miami future first-round pick but seemingly possess little else if they want to swap for a chance at Beasley or perhaps Derrick Rose.

• Seattle (fourth): Sonics have center Chris Wilcox and might take Antoine Walker and his expiring $9.3 million salary slot. Walker could be a part of any deal the Wolves swing on draft night. Marko Jaric might be, too, if they can find a team willing to take a contract that runs through 2011.

• Memphis (fifth): A Spanish newspaper reported European center Marc Gasol, whose rights are owned by the Grizzlies, might end up a Timberwolf in a draft-related deal. Gasol, 23, recently said he's ready to move to the NBA. His brother, Pau, plays for the Lakers. The Grizzlies also might be willing to part with guard Kyle Lowry or swingman Mike Miller.

• New York (sixth): Forward David Lee?

• L.A. Clippers (seventh): The future No. 1 pick (top 10 protected through 2011) the Wolves owe them.

• Milwaukee (eighth): Charlie Villanueva (or possibly Yi Jianlian).

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