Timberwolves still open to trade offers for No. 3 pick

To trade or not to trade? That is the question for the Timberwolves, who own the third selection in Thursday's NBA draft but remain open to the possibility of moving down in the first round.

[fracas]

You really get the sense that the Wolves want to trade down and take Love. I am sure McHale has fallen in love with Love because he sees a big guy with a similar game to how he played.

I don't pretend to know how this is all going to come down, but my prediction is that the wolves end up the night with Love, and some other player, or pick, after trading down.

[TheMaster]

Shouldn't Taylor be wetting himself hearing the word "trade" mentioned at draft time when McHale is doing it? Does he not remember trading Ray Allen for the always mercurial Marbury? Or how about his pinnacle of putridness, trading All Star Brandon Roy for the is and always will be mediocre Randy Foye (and no I don't want to hear that he will develop, only someone who hasn't seen Roy play would not realize what we gave away and how absolutely ordinary Foye looks in comparison, so just stop it). Trade, shivers should be running up the back of Taylor. He should go right to McHale's office and tell him "No effing way are you making any more draft day moves. Stay right where we are and take the BPA. Do not take any developmental players, not with the 3rd pick FOOL."

[Dr K]

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[MN in MO]

I am afraid... this is McHale we are talking about here. I think that Ainge felt sorry for McHale and threw in Jefferson so it wouldn't be a lopdsided trade (haha). Roy was a great pick and I STILL can not figure out why you would trade the #5 pick for the #6? What else was involved in that discussion.... "oops I meant to pick Foye, Portland can you take him and we'll trade you Roy" Portland (drooling) Sure Kev, We'll do that for you" (Background laughter). Sorry Kevin, but as far as I can tell, the only thing you did right was trade KG before he became so bitter towards 'Sota that he wouldn't ever mention us and warn others away...

[californiatimber wolvesfan]

If the Timberwolves can come out of this with K.Love or B.Lopez and the MG's pick(#5)i think thats a done deal.....

[Mike - formerly St Paul]

californiatimberwolvesfan wrote:

If the Timberwolves can come out of this with K.Love or B.Lopez and the MG's pick(#5)i think thats a done deal.....

My opinion is that the deal you propose would not be a wise deal or draft choice. It is the kind of thinking that has netted Wolves Foye for Roy, etc.
Moving down has almost never proven to be the better choice. Please name an all-star someone obtained from moving 'down' in the draft. Now, you get them by moving up or trading your junk and a player with potential for someone's best player.(See Boston-Minnesota 2007)

I really, really hope that they can resist drafting a slow guy, by NBA standards, like the two you mention with 'medicore''project' written all over them.

I don't want to hear about anyone's heart and desire, etc. Madsen had that when he was a young player. Never developed into more than he was at the start. Most of the big men are like that. Never fulfill their promise. Yes, there are exceptions, but most of the medicore ones, like everyone of the bigs we see in this draft, do not develop.

Only scenarios make sense.
1)Take Mayo. Maybe even if Beasley falls to you as you already have a long-term PF in Jefferson.
2)Only trade picks with one team, Sacaramento, and only if they:
-switch picks in first round PLUS
-throw in next year's or the year after first round pick PLUS
-forgive of 1st round pick owed them PLUS
-take Walker and a couple of other stiffs off your hands.

Do not make any other trade. If Sacramento does it, take the best left of, in order Gordon, Bayless, Rush, Westbrook.

My opinion is that the following players should not be taken seventh or lower by Wolves. They should be in the 8-14 chart for Wolves:
Arthur, Augustin, Alexandar, Gallinari, Koufas, Love, Lopez

In my opinion.

Get Mayo.
Try to get SF to take some of your non-starters for that future pick. Like Brewer and Jaric!
Or give them McCants for that future pick. McCants has been another 'project'. At guard? Are you kidding?Mayo will take his spot anyway.

Mayo is NBA ready now!

Mayo = No assembly required.

Save the 'Big and slow' pick for the second round.

[Mike - formerly St Paul]

Sorry, meant Clippers, not Sacramento, obviously. Anyway, best trade options are with Clippers but get more than you give this time or do not do it.

Since it is not a great trade for Clippers, they will not do it.

Draft Mayo, then trade Clippers McCants and Jaric for forgiveness of pick and a future (1, 2 or 3 years out) first round pick. THAT would be a great Wolves scenario!

That would position them with enough future picks to take, trade up to get the next superstar center that comes along. That is what they should do. Stockpile 3#s whenever possible. Stop drafting mediocrity.

[fracas]

Mike,

Even if the wolves draft Mayo, it is perhaps not the best thing to trade McCants. We are going to need to have more than two guards who can play. Nobody is expecting Mayo and Foye to go 48 night after night. I think McCants could be a good dose of "instant offense" off the bench. You seem like a pretty sharp guy. I bet you remember the old Pistons guard, Vinne Johnson, a.k.a. "The Microwave". He didn't take long to heat up. McCants could be that guy for us.

My gut tells me that Mayo is going to wind up in Miami, Love in Minny, and Beasley in Seattle. This should mean that Seattle gives and Miami and Minny get. Who, what, and how much I don't know. I could see Miami getting rid of Blount (to Seattle), while getting Wilcox. I could see Minny getting one of the young centers from Seattle, Petro, Sene, or Swift, plus a future draft pick. Perhaps I am wrong, but when it is all said and done this is what I think may shake out.

[Nostalgic]

Prepare for a surge in television sales in Minnesota this weekend, to replace all those damaged by heavy, flying household objects.