Heading into the 2011 NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves have lots of assets to use and some positional redundancies to solve. With the Timberwolves front office leaking like Watergate, I thought I’d rank and analyze the deals.
Deals I’d Make:
1) Andrew Bogut + #10 for #2 and Nikola Pekovic – A+
I would make this trade faster than I’d agree to a guest appearance on Entourage. Yes. The Wolves biggest need heading into the draft, now that we’ve signed Ricky Rubio, is the center position. Darko Milicic brings good interior defense, but he is a turnover machine and inefficient scorer. Andrew Bogut in my opinion is the second best center in the league. He blocks and alters shots. He scores efficiently. He can rebound. He’s a perfect compliment to Love in the front court. The Wolves should trade for Bogut straight up with the #2 if that’s what it takes. I don’t care if the Wolves need to overpay. Get Bogut on the team.
2) Javale McGee + #6 for #2 and Nikola Pekovic – B
Javale McGee isn’t as good as Bogut. Never will be, but he is a monster on defense and is still getting better as a player. He could be a cornerstone center in the NBA, something most NBA teams take 20 years to find. He’s rumored to be a bit of a head case. But he’s still on a rookie contract and produces really well. The Wolves should do this deal in a second. Washington probably does not give up McGee to move up 4 spots, even in a 2 person draft. Especially if the player they are targeting is Kanter who may fall to #6 anyway.
3) Sign Larry Brown as coach – B
Larry Brown is rumored to be interested in the job. He does not have a great reputation for player development, but with a roster that is completely young, he’d be forced into building mode. I would love this hire. It would bring instant credibility and wins. If the Wolves pull off a trade for Bogut, signing Brown brings us to the playoffs in year 1.
4) #4 and #8 for #2 and Jonny Flynn – C+
This deal seems to be somewhat dead. Cavs send us #4. Pistons send us #8. Timberwolves send Flynn to Detroit and #2 to the Cavs. I’d do this deal because I like both Kanter and Biyombo at #4. And we could upgrade our SG with our pick of Burks, Vesely, or Brooks at #8. Why I don’t like it is that it leaves us way too young and giving big minutes to 3 rookies in 11/12. I’d still do the trade, though.
5) Andre Bargnani and #5 for #2 and Nikola Pekovic - C+
I think I’m the only one who likes this deal, but I’m a huge Bargnani fan. The guy can flat out score. He’s a terrible fit next to Love on defense, but I think these two would work well enough on offense to be a special tandem. In a fast paced full court game, it might just work. Bargnani’s scoring could go to the next level playing with Rubio. I think the Raptors would have to send the Wolves some money to make this happen, as well.
Deals I’d Pass Up:
1) Marcin Gortat + #13 for #2 – D
Gortat had a great second half to the season. He’s young and on a reasonable contract for his production. He’s a plus asset for sure. But his blocks are low. And I really don’t think he can get his own shot off if he doesn’t have Steve Nash on his team. His scoring declines with any other point guard. Phoenix just doesn’t have the assets to move up to #2 even if they rent Minnesota Steve Nash for a year.
2) Pau Gasol for Kevin Love or #2 – C-
Lakers are throwing out Pau Gassol for both Kevin Love and the #2. That’s a bit delusional. I think most likely, the Wolves would deal Love to LA for Gassol, or perhaps Super Cool Beas. Gassol is 31. He was a top 10 NBA player last year. He’d provide a legit C for the Wolves for the next 3-5 years and probably play above Kevin Love for 3 of them. But Gassol has a huge contract and although NBA bigs can keep their game longer than guards and wings, Pau will start to deteriorate at some point. As much as I’d love to see Pau and Rubio play together, I equally want to see Rubio and Love play PNR. I pass on this deal straight up for Love, but try to put assets together to get Gassol to MN. Perhaps Beasley or Wes Johnson + the #20 is enough. Probably not.
3) #5 + Demar Derozan for #2 + Jonny Flynn – C
This is tough to turn down, as well, as Demar Derozan is a decent player who does something few NBA players can do, create his own shot off the dribble. But looking further into Derozan’s stats, it looks like he took advantage of Bosh leaving, and is more of a volume scorer than efficient player. I pass on this deal and try to move up for Brooks or Burks. Derozan just doesn’t have the outside stroke I want playing alongside Rubio.
