However, there are several other theories out there.
One is that the tenth pick might be part of a package that could get
Portland Minnesota’s third pick, which could become O.J. Mayo.
Portland Minnesota’s third pick, which could become O.J. Mayo.
By process of elimination, that tenth pick will certainly be a coveted
name. Someone like Jerryd Bayless, Russell Westbrook, Joe Alexander,
Danilo Gallinari, or Eric Gordon will have to be there. So you could
see that Minnesota might swap down to ten. But swapping down to
thirteen — Alexis Ajinca territory — is a tougher sell to
Timberwolves fans.
name. Someone like Jerryd Bayless, Russell Westbrook, Joe Alexander,
Danilo Gallinari, or Eric Gordon will have to be there. So you could
see that Minnesota might swap down to ten. But swapping down to
thirteen — Alexis Ajinca territory — is a tougher sell to
Timberwolves fans.
If Beasley goes second, Mayo is considered the Wolves’ likely choice, with UCLA power forward/center Kevin Love next in line.
The Wolves have been listening to offers for the No.
3 pick and have said they might be willing to move down four or five
spots for the right package.
3 pick and have said they might be willing to move down four or five
spots for the right package.
McHale, during his KFAN interview, said the
Timberwolves have had discussions about some three-way trades but
added, "It’s hard enough to do a deal in our league with one team."
Timberwolves have had discussions about some three-way trades but
added, "It’s hard enough to do a deal in our league with one team."
Did you really
believe Pat Riley would stay in the shadows and allow the Minnesota
Timberwolves to dictate the top of the draft?
believe Pat Riley would stay in the shadows and allow the Minnesota
Timberwolves to dictate the top of the draft?
Did you actually
think Riley would accept whomever falls to No. 2 rather than take an
aggressive approach to alter an underachieving Miami roster?
think Riley would accept whomever falls to No. 2 rather than take an
aggressive approach to alter an underachieving Miami roster?
Riley is no
longer the coach of the Heat. The mind games he once employed on his
players are now focused on his counterparts around the league.
longer the coach of the Heat. The mind games he once employed on his
players are now focused on his counterparts around the league.
In an era when prospects are coached by handlers to say as little as
possible, Love is candid when discussing what teams best fit his style.
He would like to go where he can play immediately, but is particularly
keen on being picked third overall by his childhood idol Kevin McHale,
the general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Otherwise, he hopes
to go fifth to the Memphis Grizzlies.
possible, Love is candid when discussing what teams best fit his style.
He would like to go where he can play immediately, but is particularly
keen on being picked third overall by his childhood idol Kevin McHale,
the general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Otherwise, he hopes
to go fifth to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Brought in for a Tuesday workout by the Heat, Arizona guard JerrydBayless said the only other teams he worked for were the Timberwolves, Sonics, Knicks and Clippers.
The Wolves are not in need of another guard, yet Mayo fills three of
their biggest needs: talent, outside shooting, perimeter defense.
Hoiberg projects him as a shooting guard who can play some point guard
in the NBA. They already have one combo guard in Randy Foye. Will two
combos make a complete backcourt?
their biggest needs: talent, outside shooting, perimeter defense.
Hoiberg projects him as a shooting guard who can play some point guard
in the NBA. They already have one combo guard in Randy Foye. Will two
combos make a complete backcourt?
"I think it does fit," Hoiberg said. "One of O.J.’s biggest strengths
is his defense. He can stay in front of the ball, and he has the size
to guard 2s [shooting guards] in our league. I think it gives us
versatility to have a couple of combo guys on the court together."
is his defense. He can stay in front of the ball, and he has the size
to guard 2s [shooting guards] in our league. I think it gives us
versatility to have a couple of combo guys on the court together."
From Don Seeholzer/Pioneer Press,ESPN college basketball analyst and former college coach Fran Fraschilla on who the Wolves should select today:
"I think the safest of the bunch is O.J. Mayo," he
said. "Because there’s a reasonable assumption that he’s going to
continue to do what he’s done in high school and college. There’s
nothing to indicate that he’s not going to be a very, very good NBA
player. He’s got size; he can shoot it; he understands the game. If
there’s one weakness, he’s not jet quick, but he’s quick enough. He did
nothing at USC this year that would cause concern from an ability
standpoint."
said. "Because there’s a reasonable assumption that he’s going to
continue to do what he’s done in high school and college. There’s
nothing to indicate that he’s not going to be a very, very good NBA
player. He’s got size; he can shoot it; he understands the game. If
there’s one weakness, he’s not jet quick, but he’s quick enough. He did
nothing at USC this year that would cause concern from an ability
standpoint."
Bob Sansevere/Pioneer Press talks to Fred Hoiberg:
BS: Are the Wolves interested in moving up one spot to have a for-sure shot at Rose or Beasley?
FH: There’s still a chance to move up or
down. It’s got to be for the right asset. You don’t want to give away
too much. We’re very happy (with the third pick), though if something
jumps off the page, we’ll jump on it.
down. It’s got to be for the right asset. You don’t want to give away
too much. We’re very happy (with the third pick), though if something
jumps off the page, we’ll jump on it.
BS: How involved are you in making the pick?
FH: We all give our input. We’re narrowing
the field and giving information to (team vice president) Kevin
(McHale). I think it’s good to sit in there and argue and bring up
different points, and talk about the strengths and weaknesses they all
have.
the field and giving information to (team vice president) Kevin
(McHale). I think it’s good to sit in there and argue and bring up
different points, and talk about the strengths and weaknesses they all
have.
Enter Minnesota, owner of the third pick and the franchise that likely will shape the landscape of the first round following the first two selections.
"They’ll certainly have a big impact on how things start to fall,” said Sonics general manager Sam Presti of the Timberwolves…
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
