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There's no doubt the Minnesota Timberwolves have to get bold in Thursday's NBA draft to create some public interest in the franchise.
Wolves basketball president David Kahn has repeatedly said it's highly unlikely he'll trade the team's No. 4 overall pick. That's a safe position because, at No. 4, the Wolves will get a young, quality starter. The consensus has been that small forward Wesley Johnson from Syracuse will be available at No. 4 and be the easy choice for the Wolves.
Now, though, there's buzz that New Jersey might take the 6-foot-7 Johnson with its No. 3 pick. That would leave the Wolves the choice of 6-11 DeMarcus Cousins and his questionable character from Kentucky or 6-10 Derrick Favors from Georgia Tech.
But taking Cousins or Favors would essentially mean yet another power forward for the Wolves, to go with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love.
Considering those options, the Wolves might have to find a way to trade up to get the guy they long have wanted: Evan Turner from Ohio State. The 6-7 Turner would be the ideal choice for Minnesota.
Philadelphia keeps saying Turner will be its choice at No. 2. But the 76ers' rhetoric might just be a way of driving up the price for a trade for Turner. Philadelphia, remember, already has 6-6 Andre Iguodala, whose play is very similar to Turner's.
A sweet enough offer from the Wolves might convince the 76ers to switch picks. The Wolves have the assets to do a deal, which might have to include some combination
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of their Nos. 4, 16 and 23 overall picks and/or a tradable player such as Jefferson.
It seems the Wolves could get Turner if they are willing to pay enough. And that would excite what's left of their fan base.
But there seems another possibility.
Although Kahn said he talked with Memphis the other day and Rudy Gay's name never came up, there's little doubt the Wolves would love to acquire the 6-8 small forward, who is just 23 years old.
But what happens at No. 4 in Thursday's draft could determine whether the Wolves can get Gay.
It's convoluted, and if New Jersey takes Favors at No. 3 and the Wolves take Johnson at No. 4, chances of getting Gay through a sign-and-trade would seem nil because Gay and Johnson both are small forwards. But if New Jersey takes Johnson, Minnesota probably would take Favors, and Gay then would become the Wolves' most attractive option.
Memphis might not be able to afford Gay and still have the wherewithal to sign other players who are approaching free agency. It will be up to Kahn to present Memphis with an attractive enough offer that could include some combination of draft picks and/or players such as Jefferson plus small forward Corey Brewer to replace Gay.
I like this! If we HAVE TO give up Jefferson, I'd love to have Gay or Turner back!
I still dont want Jefferson to leave tho