From Ian Thomsen/SI.com:
Kevin Love has heard that the Timberwolves are considering him with the No. 3 pick. He hopes they act on that interest Thursday.
"I would love to work with [Minnesota vice president] Kevin McHale,” the UCLA freshman power forward said…
Bill Simmons and Chad Ford/ESPN make their lottery picks. Simmons chooses Kevin Love for the Wolves saying that if this were any other team, he’d choose O. J. Mayo.
So selfishly, I want to see Kevin Love go in this spot because it’s the
best scenario for everyone involved. He’ll like Minnesota; he’ll
complement Al Jefferson; he gives them three good character guys for
their frontline (Jefferson and Ryan Gomes being the other two); and he
could learn the ropes of NBA whiteness from McHale and Mark Madsen. I
like everything about this pick for them. You know what you’re getting
with Love: Intelligence, rebounding, superior passing, smart team
defense, 3-point shooting and someone who will compete every single
night. He makes any team better. And again, you have to love anyone who
can successfully bring back the Color Me Badd beard.
best scenario for everyone involved. He’ll like Minnesota; he’ll
complement Al Jefferson; he gives them three good character guys for
their frontline (Jefferson and Ryan Gomes being the other two); and he
could learn the ropes of NBA whiteness from McHale and Mark Madsen. I
like everything about this pick for them. You know what you’re getting
with Love: Intelligence, rebounding, superior passing, smart team
defense, 3-point shooting and someone who will compete every single
night. He makes any team better. And again, you have to love anyone who
can successfully bring back the Color Me Badd beard.
The Timberwolves, like just about every team in the draft, expect to be talking trade in the next 48-60 hours. With either O.J. Mayo or Michael Beasley available at this spot, that’s a position a large number of teams – reportedly a list that includes Portland, the LA Clippers, Memphis, and a host of others – would like to be in. Supposedly the Wolves draft list has Mayo at the top of the board followed by Kevin Love, but that only assumes Beasley has been picked. So really, isn’t it Mayo and that’s all?
Jessica Camerato/Hoopsworld includes the Wolves on a list of teams that "need this year’s NBA Draft the most."
In the same season that Kevin Garnett won an NBA title, the Minnesota Timberwolves finished 22-60. The rebuilding has begun and like Garnett did for so many years, Al Jefferson needs help. Aside from Big Al, there are no players with overwhelming trade value. The Timberwolves have over $30 million tied up next season with Jefferson, Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner alone, limiting their off-season options. They could deepen their pool of young talent with a carefully selected, NBA-ready rookie. Or, if they play their cards right, they could use the third overall pick to land a proven player in yet another offseason deal.
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