Timberwolves talk with a number of scouts

[mnWI]

Had a chance to talk to a number scouts over the past couple days. I enjoy talking Wolves with them, and got some interesting observations.

-Just like I thought, most people I talked to said that if the Wolves got the top pick they would draft and keep Blake Griffin. He is the consensus number 1, and it isn't even close. Everybody I talked to suggested that if they traded one of Al, Griffin or Love, it would be Love, not Griffin as many posters on this board would want to do.

I had one Western Conference GM tell me that they would be terrified if either the Wolves or Oklahoma City landed Griffin, and they really hoped he would go east.

-Mixed reviews on if the GM hiring would come from inside or outside of the organization. Got some interesting names from the interview list as well, but I can't share them. A lot of people seemed to think Hoiberg should be the next GM. He's well respected around the league. A few said it would make more sense for them to hire from the outside.

-Nobody in the draft is a clearcut number 2 guy after Griffin. Opinions are all over the board. We could see at least 1 or 2 teams move into the lottery draft night if they fall in love with a guy. Not the best year to have 4 first rounders for sure, especially after watching John Wall and John Henson play.

-Could be a real bad summer for free agency. The economy is rough, and teams still positioning for next year. Even though everybody thinks the pending CBA will lead at least LBJ and Wade to sign extentions.

[big3_8_19_21]

Thanks for the info, very interesting. I love Kevin Love and I think he'll be terrific, but I am awfully sick of having a short/nonathletic team. Of course I don't believe we have a prayer of winning the lotto anyway...I'd love a draft full of athletic players for us.

When you say there is no consensus no. 2 does that mean Rubio is not the consensus no. 2 or is that just because he's not for sure in the draft?

[revprodeji]

yea, MnWi, was the #2 comment without RUbio being in the draft?

Also, would we for-sure move Love or would we try to play the 3 of them together? Why not move Al instead of Love? Love has an age and skill-set that would fit with Griffin better.

What is your take on Kenny Satterfield, um..I mean Brandon Jennings.

[jade_hippo]

i hear Joe Forte has some skills...

I don't think there would be a problem keeping all 3 of the bigs, someone has to sit eventually. KLove or Griffin off the bench for 20-30min a game isn't really that bad, i can think of a worse bench player.

[theGreatRC]

I'd like to keep the three of them together with Love coming off the bench, but I know we can get a stud player back for Love.

[Magoose]

Hmmm it's a luxury to play two highly talented power forwards at the same time. But it's definitely a waste of talent and just stupid to keep three at least borderline all-star power forwards on the same team, while there are at least3 other positions that need an upgrade so bad.

As much as a hate it, but assuming you get your hands on Griffin, you gotta keep him around and part ways with either *sniff* Big AL or Mr.Love and get a major upgrade for sg/pg/sf in return.

The only scenario for us to trade griffin would be if Rubio was available and we could trade down.

[theGreatRC]

Also, i'm hoping we don't get the top pick.

#2 or #3 please.

[4ho5ive]

Also, i'm hoping we don't get the top pick.

#2 or #3 please.

+100. #2

[revprodeji]

say what? (*Is that a rubio reference)

[4ho5ive]

If you are talking about not wanting the #1, Rubio is precisely the reason. Getting the #1 complicates things, you almost cant not take Griffin and i have a fear teams will call our bluff and let us keep him. With the #2 its a no brainer, Griffin is gone, we have a glaring hole at PG, Rubio in my eyes will be a top-tier PG in a matter of a few years.

[revprodeji]

Kind of the OKC route. Let whoever is #1 make the tough choice and we get credit for whoever is left over.

[4ho5ive]

I suppose. I think it would have been accepted for Portland to take Durant though. Just like last year i dont see a problem had Beasley gone #1. I think this year passing on Griffin is not an option, no matter how good we think Rubio is. Had Rubio been playing College ball i think it would be a different story

[Devilzsidewalk]

I'll be thrilled to have any pick in the top 3, if the choices are deciding between Griffin/Rubio/and Harden or whatever in the top 3 or Brandon **** Jennings/Willie **** Warren/ or Earl **** Clark at pick 6 or 7, then gimme the first option

and don't bring any stupid good-luck charms this year to the lottery, it never works

[revprodeji]

Bring a syringe filled with HIV. It is time to take it serious. If Stern does not want to give us the top pick we can make him do a little dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl1OwyxxbNQ

[the_bruce]

With Al out for the beginning of next season. The FO clearly wouldn't feel forced to make an immediate trade. imo they'd just draft Griffin and take the easy win.

Run...

Love
Griffin
xxx
xxx
xxx

See Love\Griffin value skyrocket. Fill in one of the xxx via trade when al comes back

[revprodeji]

dsw..I did the joke for u...

[AQuintus]

With Al out for the beginning of next season. The FO clearly wouldn't feel forced to make an immediate trade. imo they'd just draft Griffin and take the easy win.

Run...

Love
Griffin
xxx
xxx
xxx

See Love\Griffin value skyrocket. Fill in one of the xxx via trade when al comes back

I know that Vin Diesel is good, but I don't think that he's quite good enough to play three positions at the same time.

[4ho5ive]

Ice Cube could help out too.

[deeney0]

I would hope going with Griffin/Love and trading Al would at least come up for discussion.

[revprodeji]

It would be great but at the same time I would hate it...

Lucky for us (*or unlucky I guess) we have no chance at the first pick. I am simply hoping for the 2nd (rubio) or 3rd (Harden)