The Timberwolves are trying to move up the draft board and have discussed a deal with the Pelicans involving the No. 4 pick, tweets Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Stein doesn’t specify the target of such a move, but Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic presumes its Vanderbilt’s Darius Garland. Jeff Teague is entering the final year of his contract and Derrick Rose is a free agent, so the Wolves may be looking for a fresh option at point guard.
New president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas came from a star-chasing atmosphere in Houston and hopes to make a splash before his first draft in Minnesota.
“There are really good pieces on our roster. There’s a strong core,” Rosas said. “But at the same time, you win in this league with high-end players. We’re fortunate that we have a high-end player (in Karl-Anthony Towns). We have the potential for other players on our roster to be high-end players. That’s going to be part of our philosophy and part of our development and player wellness. But we are going to be very aggressive in looking at any and all opportunities to add talent to this base.”
The Wolves would have to pay a high price to move up seven slots, and Pelicans executive David Griffin has said he wants a young veteran with star potential in return. Krawczynski suggests a package including the No. 11 pick and either Josh Okogie or Robert Covington, but acknowledges the Hawks and Celtics could easily beat those offers.
“A high-end talent that is available we’re always gonna be looking at,” Rosas said. “We’re always gonna be making calls; whether it’s the trade route, high picks in the draft, or even as we prepare for free agency as well.”
I could see Wiggins involved
Yes
No way Griffin wants Wiggins and his 4yr/$121M left, that’s a net negative and then some
You mean Randy Foye and Mike Miller doesn’t get you into the top 5 anymore?
As a wizards fan I would like to die
I don’t get it. Why would the Wolves want to draft a PG at 4 when they don’t also have the 5 to take a second PG? It just makes no sense.
Underrated comment.
K————A————H————N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually the TimberKAHNS had 4 First round Draft Picks in 2009.
#5 = Ricky Rubio
#6 = Jhonny Flynn (Steph Curry went at #7)
#18 = Ty Lawson (Traded to Denver)
Current PG Jeff Teague was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks at #19.
#28 = Wayne Ellington
In MN Ellington, mostly known for his striking GF
ROUND #2
#45 = Nick Calathes (Traded to Dallas)
Pick #45 was obtained from Miami during the 2008 Draft for (wait for it) PG Mario Chalmers !!
#47 = Henk Norel
BTW Norel will be making his Timberwolves debut any day now !!
@hiflew I didn’t understand your post. Can you break it down? What do you mean by “when they don’t also have the 5 to take a second PG? “
2009
#history
It’s a sarcastic reference to when the Wolves drafted both Rick Rubio and Johnny Flynn (both PGs) back to back at picks 5 and 6 in the 2009 draft.
@zpgreen @hiflew Excellent comment. I’m familiar with the draft but didn’t connect it to this topic. Good one.
I didn’t get it either. I’m glad you asked. Now I see it, wasn’t that the craziest thing ever. Draft two point guards and don’t even get Steph Curry LOL. Crazy.
It’s got to be Wiggins. He desperately needs a change of scenery.
He’s likely referring to the year they drafted Rubio and Flynn back to back.
Wiggins seems unmovable at this point – who would take on a max contract player who’s barely a + on the court?
a team in need of scoring that can hide his defense? Wiggins is still a good player. and he’s what, 24?
A team that is desperate for a potential star. Wiggins has been disappointing in the NBA thus far, but he still has the name recognition of a potential superstar. This guy was more hyped than even Zion back in 2014. Probably right there with Ben Simmons (and maybe OJ Mayo) as the most hyped college player of the entire 2010s decade. And he is still relatively young.
I don’t think he’ll ever reach All Star levels, but stranger things have happened with a change of scenery. Tracy McGrady went from complete bust to Hall of Famer with a change of scenery. Tobias Harris also blossomed after a change. Now plenty of others didn’t, but Wiggins still has most of that potential he came into the league with. Why not take a chance if you are a team like the Pelicans looking for stars.
I actually see where your going with that. Pels can get Wiggins and the Wolves first round pick for the 4th, Wiggins is a much better draw than whatever the 4th pick gets you.
And giving back to wolves Salomon hill
#4+Salomon Hill for #11+wiggins
A super victory for wolves, that’s why imho they have to put another asset, Keita or okogie
Exactly. Losing Davis is a big blow for the Pelicans franchise and they are already near the bottom in attendance in the league. Getting Zion will help for sure, but not that much. He is still just a rookie. After a couple of years, if he pans out, then you have a superstar, but until then you really need a name for casual fans to come and see. Jrue Holiday is a good player, but he is not a name that will sell tickets. Andrew Wiggins might be. At the very least, he would be about the best name you could get for the #4 pick.
Unless they went crazy and traded for Chris Paul. Which would be a horrible basketball move, but would definitely increase ticket sales. New Orleans might really be the only team that you could say that about.
As a long-suffering Wolves fan and careful observer, I’m sorry to say I can’t imagine the Pels trading something of value for Wiggins. If the Wolves move him it will be, at best, a salary dump; they may even have to attach an asset to move him. I don’t think he’s going anywhere, they are going to try to rehabilitate his game (and his value) under Saunders.
I don’t see how the Wolves could move up for that pick, but the rumor does suggest that they are moving on from Tyus Jones. That’s too bad. I think he can be a significant contributor to a good team. Thibs stunted his growth; I hope he stays here.
It’s the Wolves. They will screw the pooch yet again.
I like Garland so I’d do Covington #11 and top ten protected 2020 for #4. Throw in Keita if need be, but can’t trade Okogie with Covington or visa versa.