So, ultimately what we have out of this deal is a cleaner slate for Kahn to use. Like the Foye-Miller deal, we can’t judge this trade unless a few more shoes drop. Foye-Miller clearly looks better in light of the Rubio drafting. Kahn is going to need similarly prominent additions with the salary cap and personnel space he is clearing to justify kissing Telfair goodbye. I’ll miss Madsen too. Bottom line, Kahn better hope all that cap space isn’t left dangling on the vine because folks don’t want to come to the tundra–and that Jefferson and Love keep an open mind as the overhaul continues.
From the Timberwolves site:
USA Basketball today announced that Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love is one of 23 rising NBA stars who will participate in the 2009 USA Basketball Men’s National Team mini-camp that will be conducted July 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nev. Also, Wolves assistant coach Jerry Sichting and athletic trainer Gregg Farnam will be participating as part of the mini-camp staff.
The July mini-camp will feature practice sessions on July 23 and July 24 at Valley High School, and the mini-camp will conclude with the USA Basketball Showcase, a Blue-White intra-squad game on Saturday, July 25 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV.
The Timberwolves haven’t had stability on the bench since McHale let Flip Saunders fall on the sword, so putting the right person in place is essential to the rebuilding effort. The gamble on Rubio could still pay huge dividends even if he fails to come over this fall, but picking a dynamic leader to run the show as head coach is an opportunity Kahn has only one shot to make count.
Drew Packham/NBA.com ranks Jonny Flynn #2 among all rookies after summer league.
Who needs Ricky Rubio when you have Jonny Flynn? The Timberwolves’ second point-guard pick looked like a starter (and talked like one, too, in this NBA TV interview), showing off his unbelievable quickness while averaging 15.0 points and 7.4 assists. Flynn was in control and may just end up being the better of the Wolves’ two rookie point guards.
Yannis Koutroupis/Hoopsworld hands out post-summer league grades to this year’s top 6 draft picks.
Jonny Flynn – Minnesota Timberwolves
Averages: 15 points and seven assists
Noteworthy Performance: 24 points and four assists vs. the New Orleans Hornets
Grade: B
Review: Unlike Rubio Flynn is signed to a contract and ready to contribute for the Timberwolves right away. While Flynn was up and down in Las Vegas he showed a lot of potential with dazzling playmaking abilities and an improved offensive game. On draft night Flynn was described as a “scoring point guard” by team GM David Kahn, which Flynn disagreed with. He is a true floor general in every sense of the definition and should Rubio decide to pass on coming to Minnesota the Timberwolves should be thankful that they have a player of Flynn’s caliber to run the show in his place.
Averages: 15 points and seven assists
Noteworthy Performance: 24 points and four assists vs. the New Orleans Hornets
Grade: B
Review: Unlike Rubio Flynn is signed to a contract and ready to contribute for the Timberwolves right away. While Flynn was up and down in Las Vegas he showed a lot of potential with dazzling playmaking abilities and an improved offensive game. On draft night Flynn was described as a “scoring point guard” by team GM David Kahn, which Flynn disagreed with. He is a true floor general in every sense of the definition and should Rubio decide to pass on coming to Minnesota the Timberwolves should be thankful that they have a player of Flynn’s caliber to run the show in his place.
From Mike Max/WCCO:
The Minnesota Timberwolves Corey Brewer says he’s stronger because of all the lifting he’s done during rehab on his knee. And that Al Jefferson has benefitted from time in the weight room, as well, and that should help this season.
I think the only one that hurts is possibly Craig Smith. His wide-body and athleticism caused a lot of problems for defenders last year, at least when he got in the game. He averaged ten points at 20-minutes a game. As for Quentin Richardson…well he’s in the last year of his contract and he’s a bonafide sharp shooter which never hurts to have. How long will he be here? More than a year? I wouldn’t expect more than a season.
From Adam Holt/Minnesota Timberwolves Examiner: Telfair, Smith, Madsen to Clippers for Richardson
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