On the Al Jefferson + No. 6 pick to Phoenix for Amare Stoudemire trade rumor of a week ago, Timberwolves mover and shaker David Kahn told ESPN Radio: "I would lose my card-carrying privileges in the NBA if we did such a thing."
That statement would also apply to the rumored deal of the Nos. 5 and 6 picks for the No. 2 pick in Thursday's draft. If those two high picks are sacrificed, someone or something would need to be thrown in.
Kahn made a bold and justifiable move on Tuesday night (shockingly, Kevin Love didn't break the news through a tweet): While understanding that Randy Foye can still be a capable sixth man, he's due a contract extension in the near future. Paying an undersized shooting guard, who's better suited to come off the bench, decent money would be a mistake. 29-year-old forward Mike Miller is a free agent after the '09-'10 season. Much like with Foye, paying him good dough, on a team aiming to be good in two years minimum, made little sense. Also, we are talking about a team that won just 24 games last season. Blowing up that collection of mediocrity was necessary.
Kahn needs to call the Grizzlies' bluff. Do not budge on their demands. Point Guard Ricky Rubio of Spain is the goal and he's attainable via other means.
Memphis will take Center Hasheem Thabeet. Then at No. 3, let the wheelin' and dealin' begin. Thunder PG Russell Westbrook, to ESPN the Magazine, on the possibilty of moving to SG to make room for Rubio: "You trippin?" In other words, the Nos. 5 and 18 picks should be able to net you La Pistola.
Que hora es? Estoy bien if that deal goes down.
Rosetta Stone Spanish courses here I come.
The 18-year-old has been playing on a grand stage for four years. If you saw him in the gold-medal game battling USA guards Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Jason Kidd, you witnessed a kid ready for the big time. And it's more than one game, because it would be foolish to base all your thoughts on one afternoon. Too many experts say he has star written all over him. Minus giving up Jefferson, Kevin Love, or both lottery picks, he is worth it.
Then the question becomes - assuming No. 5 and No. 18 gets you Rubio - what to do at No. 6? Ideally, getting a good shooter next to Rubio is the path to take. With Rubio's penetration, the Wolves' off-guard would get lots of open looks. Could that guy then be Stephen Curry? Definitely, but he wants to be in New York. He wants nothing to do with Minnesota, thus I want nothing to do with him. But you take him and hold him for ransom. Kahn and Knicks boss Donnie Walsh go way back. Convince Walsh to give up the No. 8 pick and forward Wilson Chandler. The New York Post on Tues. night reported that Walsh told Chandler's agent that he isn't going anywhere. That can all change in a hurry when the prize is there for the taking and that prize is close to soon-to-be free agent Lebron James.
With No. 8, I would then take guard Jrue Holiday. His shooting isn't Curryesque, but he can defend and arguably the Wolves' biggest weakness last year was their inability to guard the perimeter. This is assuming Tyreke Evans is long gone.
'09-'10 starting lineup:
PG - Rubio
SG - Holiday
SF - Corey Brewer or Chandler
PF - Love
C - Jefferson (Kahn said at a recent breakfast gathering that he will be good to go come training camp)
In a perfect world, Jefferson would start at PF and someone like Tyson Chandler (trade) or Chris Andersen (free agent) would be added. Love could come off the bench and still play 30-35 minutes a night.
As for talk of dealing No. 5 to Boston for PG Rajon Rondo - he's still under his rookie contract, but that ends after next season. The Celtics, or any team, have the option of extending his contract now (which would kick in next offseason) or wait until next summer. If they wait, he'll be a restricted free agent. He assuredly is a top-five to top-seven PG in the league, but is it wise to pay him maximum dollars right now or roll the dice that Rubio is good and can be had on the cheap for a few years? Narrowly, I choose the latter, although sacrificing the No. 18 pick has to enter into the equation.
So many different scenarios exist. Heck, the goal may be to land Thabeet, not Rubio. That would change things a lot. Coming out of the draft with your center and point guard (Flynn, Jennings. Lawson, or Holiday at 8 then, same deal with NY) for the next X amount of years wouldn't be so bad.
Bottom line: Kahn has created interest, even among casual fans. Thursday will be loads of fun.