Mid-day talker: Chase Budinger -- the pros, the cons, and the KAAAAAHHHNNNs

The Wolves traded the No. 18 pick in Thursday's draft to the Rockets for Chase Budinger, a swingman most suited to play small forward. Reaction has been mixed -- we didn't even quite know what to make of it initially -- and we will break it down quickly based on what we think and also the logical arguments being put forth by others on all sides:

PROS: Those who like the trade have plenty of ammunition. Budinger is a solid pro, shoots pretty well from long distance and will cost less than $1 million next season, Perhaps most importantly: He is not Martell Webster, Wes Johnson or Michael Beasley. Whether you prefer PER or Wins Per 48 minutes, Budinger is a definite upgrade over last year's collection. Last year's overall roster had elite players and dead weight, but not enough in the middle. Budinger is a nice, solid rotation player who will help the team win -- plus he is familiar with Rick Adelman from their Houston days together. In fact, one could infer this was definitely an Adelman power move, since he knows Budinger and has been said to prefer a more experienced player over another draft pick.

CONS: Budinger is a known commodity, but it can be argued by those who don't like the trade that he has limits. The No. 18 pick, while a crapshoot, could yield a comparable player who is younger -- or even a sleeper star. Is Budinger a move you make now, when you need to take as many shots at acquiring big-time talent as possible?

KAAAAAHNNNS: And then there are some who will mock and ridicule every move David Kahn makes, simply because it is fashionable. These are the same people most likely to make clever jokes about an all-white Wolves lineup.

Final conclusion: The Wolves absolutely needed to solve their 2-3 issue this offseason, and this is a step toward solidifying things. While the No. 18 pick is a price to pay, it's not overly steep considering the quality of the draft.