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I came across a tidbit saying we still owed a 2nd rounder to Detorit via the Ronald Dupree trade and that it could be either this year's or next year's 2nd rounder, our choice.

Does anyone know if the Wolves decided on this yet? Is it definitely going to be our 2nd rounder next year?

If so, both the Wolves picks might be gone next year if we finish outside the bottom 10. (1st rounder to the clips)

If Miami finishes in the bottom 10, that would leave us with only the Boston pick next year.

I don't get too excited about second rounders. High ones like ours have a little value since teams can pick a guy and stick him in europe, avoiding lux and roster requirements, but picks this late are almost always just a slim chance for a guy that will ever do anything in the NBA.

That said, I suspect MIN will wait until next year. Every team thinks it will improve, and personally, I think we'll do better, and hence get a worse pick next year. Even if we don't see a player we like, I suspect we won't use it to meet the DET requirement this season.

Dr.Krapinsky wrote:I came across a tidbit saying we still owed a 2nd rounder to Detorit via the Ronald Dupree trade and that it could be either this year's or next year's 2nd rounder, our choice.

Does anyone know if the Wolves decided on this yet? Is it definitely going to be our 2nd rounder next year?

If so, both the Wolves picks might be gone next year if we finish outside the bottom 10. (1st rounder to the clips)

If Miami finishes in the bottom 10, that would leave us with only the Boston pick next year.

I think I know the answer to this one. Here is a link to a interview of Wolves owner Glen Taylor

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/lets_build_it_glen_taylor_080228.html

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shrink wrote:I don't get too excited about second rounders. High ones like ours have a little value since teams can pick a guy and stick him in europe, avoiding lux and roster requirements, but picks this late are almost always just a slim chance for a guy that will ever do anything in the NBA.

That said, I suspect MIN will wait until next year. Every team thinks it will improve, and personally, I think we'll do better, and hence get a worse pick next year. Even if we don't see a player we like, I suspect we won't use it to meet the DET requirement this season.

We might get a steal. 2 players projected to be late first round or early second round are centers Robin Lopez and John Riek which could really help Al Jefferson. Funny thing is, McHale has been scouting European PG Rudy Mbemba.

http://blogs.twincities.com/timberwolves/2008/04/mchale_scouts_in_europe.html

shrink wrote:High ones like ours have a little value since teams can pick a guy and stick him in europe, avoiding lux and roster requirements, but picks this late are almost always just a slim chance for a guy that will ever do anything in the NBA.

I don't get what you're saying. Or I disagree. Not sure which, though.

I think the high 2nd rounders are very valuable. The low picks in the 40s and 50s are where most of the Euro-stash players go.

There have been plenty of legitimate pros picked in the 30s.

I really like the depth of this draft out to about #40 and that's not counting the euro players I'm not familiar with.

I would be very happy with two out of:

Richie Hendrix (Seems like he'll be this years Landry)

JJ Hickson (Lots of upside for a second rounder)

Shan Foster (Not sure why he's not getting late first consideration. Ironic how he's projected to go around the same time Redd went, only Foster's numbers are better. He's actually my second favorite SG in the draft after Mayo. At worst he becomes one of the top 3 pt specialists in the league, i.e. Korver)

Mario Chalmers (I'd be very comfortable with him as a backup. He can be a tenacious defender and shoot the three. Perhaps a Derek Fisher type at the next level.)

Bill Walker (Few players have an NBA ready body at his age. Seemed very inconsistent/streaky at times, but if he's taught to take the ball to the hole more and get to the free throw line, he could become a good second option scorer)

Jamont Gordon (Guy seems like a Randy Foye clone. Could backup the 1 and 2 positions)

Devon hardin (i was down on him all year, but now seeing the faults of all the other center's in the draft, I'm reconsidering him. He could be a Brendan Haywood type center- a physical presence are team has lacked for a long time now. I also like the prospect of a Devon fan group at the Target Center where everyone is dressed up like the band Devo.)

I'll Pass on these guys:

Dorsey (I know a lot of people like him. To me he's a more athletic less fundamental Richard. I'd only consider him if we got Rose or if the above guys were gone.)

JR Giddens (SGs need to shoot better than 58% from the stripe)

Davon Jefferson (incredibly frustrating to watch in the half court. He can't dribble/drive with his head up and gets tied up on the offensive end)

^
Good looks on Shan Foster. He is going to be a deadly shooter this year. He is actually my hopeful pickup in the second round. Imagine him and McCants as options off the bench for a needed 3.

If he stays healthy Bill Walker will be a great pick. I'd be happy with Shan Foster too. As for Robin Lopez, I just don't see him falling out of the first round. I really hope we find a way to get him though.

Mayo-R. Lopez-Walker would be a sweet haul.

MilMinMan wrote: I don't get what you're saying. Or I disagree. Not sure which, though.

I think the high 2nd rounders are very valuable. The low picks in the 40s and 50s are where most of the Euro-stash players go.

There have been plenty of legitimate pros picked in the 30s.

I agree that its possible to find players in the 30's, but its unlikely, and the chance of finding a difference-maker in the second round is far far less than finding one in the lottery. However, there's still a chance -- and the fact that picks in the 30's come with an unguaranteed contract, they are somewhat "free" chances. Seconds have value because they are free shots, and early 2nds give a teams an earlier chance, but the expected player in return needs to be factored in.

Right now #31 is the highest (most valuable) second rounder, so here's a list of the #31 pick for last 20 years

1988 2.6 76ers Everette Stephens 6'2 175 Purdue 1966-10-21
1989 2.4 Clippers Jeff Martin 6'5 195 Murray State 1967-01-14
1990 2.4 Suns Negele Knight 6'1 175 Dayton 1967-03-06
1991 2.4 Kings Randy Brown 6'2 190 New Mexico State 1968-05-22
1992 2.4 Trailblazers Reggie Smith 6'10 240 TCU 1970-08-21
1993 2.4 Kings Evers Burns 6'8 260 Maryland 1971-08-24
1994 2.4 Magic Rodney Dent
1995 2.2 Bulls Dragan Tarlac 6'10 260 None 1973-05-09
1996 2.2 76ers Mark Hendrickson 6'9 220 Washington State 1974-06-23
1997 2.3 Pistons Charles OBannon 6'5 209 UCLA 1975-02-22
1998 2.2 Lakers Ruben Patterson 6'5 224 Cincinnati 1975-07-31
1999 2.2 Clippers Rico Hill
2000 2.2 Rockets Dan Langhi 6'11 220 Vanderbilt 1977-11-28
2001 2.3 Magic Omar Cook
2002 2.3 Grizzlies Robert Archibald 6'11 250 Illinois 1980-03-29
2003 2.2 Cavaliers Jason Kapono 6'8 213 UCLA 1981-02-02
2004 2.2 Bulls Jackson Vroman
2005 2.1 Hawks Salim Stoudamire
2006 2.1 Trailblazers Pacers James White 6'7 200 Cincinnati 1982-10-21
2007 2.1 Supersonics Rockets Carl Landry 6'9 248 Purdue 1983-09-19

I should probably also add that an early second can be more valuable than a very late first, since the incrementally smaller chance of getting a useful player may be more than offset by the fact that contract is not guaranteed, nor necessary a multi-year roster clogger.

I think Blame Rasho's offer of the Spurs #26 for MIN's #31 is fair, (rfor me, #26-#27 is about the break-even point), and something I'd probably do.