What has to happen

NBA teams cannot trade the pick they have in the draft outright, they must first select the player and then trade the rights to the player. With that said, the Wolves must draft OJ Mayo with the third pick.

The Timberwolves have a history of trading their first round picks in a pick for pick swap and I think this year we could see this again. I've chronicled earlier about how I think Mayo isn't a good fit for the Wolves with the cluster of combo guards they already have on their roster, their need for another big, and the concerning attitude and big city desires.

Let me ask, which would you do now as a Wolves fan? Trade Ray Allen for Stephon Marbury or trade Marbury for Allen? Right now, as Allen looks to be on his way to his first NBA championship with the Celtics, nobody in the league would rather have Marbury. As unpopular as it might look at the time it might be the right thing to do.

I'd recommend trading Mayo for another player later in the draft that fits our needs and get later compensation. I don't think Mayo fits the "blue print" and I don't think he wants to be here. But having the #3 pick is a commodity, not a crux. Picks #1 and #2 are unobtainable so that gives us one of the biggest chips to work with this draft. You simply cannot let Mayo slide behind us as the Sonics, a team in our very own Northwest division, would gobble that up.

It seems the players we have the most interest in are better drafted around the 6-14 range, such as Brook Lopez or Kevin Love.

I'll throw these guys that I think could be outstanding pros: Joe Alexander, Anthony Randoloph, Donte Greene, DeAndre Jordan.


I'll then move to the second round picks. I've heard they might want to package them and move into the late first round. At first it made sense. Scanning the roster it just doesnt look like we can trim away those two players to open up the roster spots. It would take Kevin McHale magic to dump some of those contracts Jaric, Madsen, Buckner ...

But what else is the development league for? Those euro players don't ever seen to find their way back to us so skip that. Go with some freshman who left a year too early and mold them. Bill Walker with his latest knee injury might slide. Davon Jefferson? Whip him into shape, drop a few pounds and teach him the ways of an NBA 3. At least we could have the fun of checking up on the NBDL stats when the Wolves are out of contention.