Back for my annual post

I was going to apologize for not being very active on this blog - but then I realized I have no readers to apologize too. But in any case, I'll take this moment to say happy first father's day to me. Sophia, someday you might come across this post if the apocalypse hasn't come yet (or maybe even if it does)!

I'll focus this post on who the Wolves should target at pick #2 mostly but I'll also sprinkle in other guys I think would be ideal fits/potential great players.

I haven't done as much research as years past so that might work in my favor. Without further ado:

The Wolves at pick #2, if they stay put, are in a solid position to add one of the top 2 talents in the draft. It's a win-win. On one hand I like Irving a lot and almost hope he falls to #2. I realize this creates a pretty interesting PR situation as Rubio has just said he's coming to MN and Kahn already gets blasted for collecting PGs -- but the guy looks like he just gets it. A solid PG without a flaw I can see. Good decision making, good form on his jumper (and he shot a good percentage from all 3 spots), and intelligence. What's not to like?

I also really like Derrick Williams. If we had him and Beasley I'd rather have Williams. I love the scoring that Beasley brings and we'd have a scoring void without him - but I think the Wolves really need to focus on getting better defensively.

That reminds me to talk to the JaVale McGee rumors. I'd strongly consider it -- but I just think Williams is too dynamic to pass on. If we had pick #3 I'd probably do it.

The Wolves can also add that defense in the draft though. I like Bismack Biyombo so long as we don't expect him to score at al on anything that's not a dunk. If he's there at #20 I don't see how the Wolves can pass on him. But I don't have my hopes up he'll be there. But, then again, they probably would pass on him. The Wolves have a history of passing on guys that I've ljked later in drafts (see Monta Ellis and DeAndre Jordan). I just hope they don't this time.

Other guys I like are The Jimmer (and after seeing Dallas win the championship with a PG/SG rotation including Kidd, Barea, andJet (and they also have Roddy B) I think you can win with a smaller backcourt, especially if both players on the court provide something the defense has to adjust to. I think you'd get that with Rubio and Jimmer if there was a way to play them both together. However, I don't see a scenario without trading up to make that happen.

The Wolves could also really use a SG and the guy I like best is Alec Burks. He has prototype size for the SG spot at 6'6" and was a big time scorer at CU. He also has very fluid movement and a working jumpshot. The scenario is same as above though, where I don't know how we could land him without moving up. I think this is an ideal player to target somehow. Possibly moving Flynn and #20 or another big like Pek and #20 or even moving Beasley if we take Williams.

Jonas Valanciunas is my favorite big of the draft - even ahead of Kanter. He looks a bit raw but the size, the hustle, the natural ability looks like he could be the real deal. I'd even consider him at #2 or if proposed trades with Cleveland or Utah occur at the #3 or #4 spot. The catch is he is a project and Kahn is under pressure to start winning as soon as possible. Definitely a challenge for him you'd hate to see that type of influence leak into decision. Fortunately holding the #2 spot makes it unlikely it'll become an issue.

Kanter looks to be a solid option too but he's coming off of very little action over the last 2 years and doesn't have a great finishing touch around the rim or athleticism. He sort of reminds me of a Dirk mold with great jumpshot for a near 7 footer but maybe half the athleticism - so probably a soft center I'm not really interested in.

I also really like Kawhi Leonard, Kenneth Faried (think of him and Love chasing down rebounds), and Iman Shumpert who has great size as a combo guard who can play the point as a third PG and in the SG rotation to make sure he gets decent minutes. He's a guy i like at #20 if we stay there.

Leanard will be long gone so I should clarify that I like him in the top 10 if we trade out of #2.

That's as far as my research has taken me so far but I wanted to say that I am excited for Thursday because there seem to be so many possibilities both in trades and draft. Though expections are tempered because the same thing happened last year. The Wolves were active in talks but ultimately made a small move to trade for Webster.