RealGM

When I was coming back from lunch I heard Dwayne Wade's interview with Jim Rome. At the end of the interview Rome asked him who he thought the Heat were taking at #2. Wade gave the standard whoever we get will be a great player, etc., but then Rome asked him if his "buddy" Mayo was as good as Rose and Beasley. Of course you'd expect Wade to say "yes," he's not going to say anything negative about a friend and possible future teammate. However, it was the way he talked about Mayo and his work ethic and maturity and NBA readiness that you could tell he wants him to end up in Miami. He then said he's on his way back to Miami to "talk to them" about what they'll do at the draft. I don't think they'll pass on Beasley, but I'm beginning to believe there's at least a chance.

On a side note, does everyone else get the feeling that MN doesn't rank Mayo that far ahead of the other players bunched in the mid-lotto region. Just way, way too much chatter about us trading down. It could be us doing our due diligence to measure the pick's worth...I don't know. I think there's a very good chance we trade down to the Clips or Bucks on draft day and take Love, Lopez or Gallinari. I'm not as convinced Love will be gone by that time as everyone else. I think there is a good chance that Miami and Memphis flip picks and a guard goes at #5 or the Griz just take someone else (Ford had the Griz taking Gordon in his most recent mock).

Lastly, forgot where I read it but Gallinari made 24/25 NBA 3's at our workout. That makes me like him alot more. He can be the offensive, floor spacer, point forward at the SF and Brewer can be the defensive stopper at the SG. I think they would fit together well.

As much as I want the Wolves to hang on to their pick, whether it's Mayo or Beasley, Gallinari intrigues me. If the Wolves were to make one of the rumored trades with the Clippers (#7 and Kaman) or Bucks (#8 and Bogut), that could prove to be a very exciting lineup.

Foye
Brewer
Gallinari
Jefferson
Kaman or Bogut

It would be very nice to have Gallinari and Brewer be that same yin-yang offensive-defensive combo that we all hoped would've happened with Green and Brewer. But who knows? We might miss out on Mayo or Beasley completely and end up with a lower pick with some "good" player from another team.

EDIT: Unless of course Gallinari pulls a Navarro, then we're pretty much screwed.

Good post, with lots of good points.

First, I think Wade's opinion matters a lot to the Heat. They believe he's a superstar, at, or just below, the level of LeBron and Dwight Howard. He's their future, and they want to keep him happy. Moreover, his opinion matters even more because he'd be sharing the back court with OJ, so if anyone's game is going to be impacted by Mayo, it's Wade. Like us, I think two combo, play-makers in the back court spell a difficult assignment for them.

I was surprised to learn that Riley liked Kaman, but was out-voted three years ago when everyone else in the front office liked Wade. Now Riley has been promoted, so I'm not sure he can be outvoted. It really seems to me that he would want to add Brand, and throw Wade/Marion/Brand out there at the Celtics. Now, I don't know if many teams would pick Mayo over Beasley or rose at #2, but if any would, it'd be LAC who can really market Mayo, the kid they've wanted for five years. I think with Wade, Riley, Brand, and LAC's marketing possibilities, there are several chances that the #2 pick on Tuesday night is Mayo.

Regarding MIN not valueing Mayo as much, you may be right, but I try to dismiss it. Beasley is the only guy we've heard local rumors about McHale not liking. I think a lot of national media just seems to dismiss the wolves, or at a minimum, not pay very close attention. That's part of the reason we still see "Mayo-to-the-Knicks" rumors around -- a star like Mayo in (as they see it) a backwater dump like Minnesota isn't exciting, or make for a good story.

Gallinari's 24-of-25 three pointers is sure to impress McHale. Rumor has it that McCants sealed McHale's approval by hitting 69-of-75 three pointers in his work-oput for us. As I recall, Britt Robson said McHale really liked Gallinari, and I put more stock in what Robson says than most media people. I certainly hope though that we wouldn't pick him at #3.

Again, these Kaman/Bogut rumors are nothing but realgm fan speculations. No way does Milwaukee or the Clippers trade away their YOUNG, franchise center, plus their lotto pick.

The only option I see Minnesota doing is trading with Miami, which Id be against, cause I think taking whatever falls, running with it is the smartest thing to do. Trading with Miami all begins with us giving their 1st rounder back.

And Mchale doesnt like Beasley? whered that come from

I don't see the Clips or Bucks trading away Kaman/Bogut plus their pick for Mayo. I think it's much more likely a deal resembles the draft express rumor of #3 for #7, return of our pick and the Clips 09 pick.

actually, Disgrunted.

The Bogut+8th is from me. That is very legit. (meaning it has been discussed by both sides)
LAC offering a player+pick for either the 2 or the 3 is common knowledge. Also, the common knowledge with that is the player we would want is Kaman or Thornton.

Kaman himself is a fan speculation. The idea of the LAC trade is not.

Shrink. The front office is divided on Beasley. That does not mean McHale. I dont know who. Last time I checked our "braintrust" was 7 or so guys.

It's good to hear that the Bogut trade is at least possible. Bogut + Gordon is still my favorite scenario.

Bogut
Jefferson
Brewer
Gordon
Foye

Best case, in my opinion. I know that I am WAY higher on Gordon than most though.

Gordon? Shoot me...

My understanding is if we do the Bogut deal then we are either targeting Gallinari or Alexander.

I just want Mayo.

I'd be fine with Gordon or Alexander in that scenario, no desire for Euro McTradeMeToNY.

McTrade/MeTony?

Guys...if an agent tries to put a player in a big market we need to know that is their job. They care less about Basketball and just want more money. Slots do not make a big deal compared to endorsements. The agent knows NY/NJ would mean more endorsements. That does not mean Gallinari does not want Minnesota. He will play anywhere.

Gallinari is miles ahead of Gordon as a prospect. He is better than Alexander too. The kid is a legit playmaking point-forward that has incredible range. (I think they said he made 24/25 threes at the work out) If we did a trade down for him and got a starting big it would be a nice fit.

btw, we all know Mchale has a man crush on him.

Bogut + Gallinari would be a dream lotto as far as I am concerned only possibly surpassed by Kaman + Gallinari, though it may be too close to call. A rising star (or at least quality starting/upper end) center and a pg in a sf body that can shoot from anywhere (I think Gallinari has the 4th highest star potential; I may be alone here, but 19 and one of the best in euroleague) is too good to be true. Otherwise, Mayo by himself would be a nice consolation price.

Regardless, the Milwuakee deal was only if Beasley dropped to us or was it for Mayo (or whoever they want at #3) as well Rev?

Winter I whole heartedly agree.

Bogut+Gallinari is amazing and so is replacing Bogut with Kaman.

Bogut>Kaman to me tho, cause I like him in the high post with his passing and improving jumper.

deeney0 wrote:I'd be fine with Gordon or Alexander in that scenario, no desire for Euro McTradeMeToNY.

am I actually the only one against drafting Gallinari? I only read things about him but he's another euro... and this is coming from a euro as well. I honestly think he won't be that good...

We were pretty high on Thornton last year before the draft.

There is no way Milwaukee trades Bogut and the #8 for the 3rd pick in a 2 man draft. Mayo just isn't worth that. I could see them having discussed it in the sense of "hey, if Beasley is there at 3, would you give us Bogut and 8?", but there is no way they do that to get Mayo. The Bucks need to compete to save their franchise, they aren't going to trade their most valuable player and a lotto pick for a guy who will probably take a few years to develop and even then might not be as good as Michael Redd.

I could maybe see Bogut alone for #3 (depending how drastic of a rebuild they want to try), but no way does McHale pull off Bogut and #8. CV and #8, probably. Yi and #8, maybe. Bogut and #8? No way in hell.

And people are even crazier if they think the Clippers would give #7 and Kaman for #3. This is a market where (supposedly) all it takes to move up from #4 to #2 is the willingness to take on 2 years of Mark Blount's contract.

revprodeji wrote:Gordon? Shoot me...

If we get him some how this will be my new sig. According to another board he had a very nice workout.

JoeHova wrote:There is no way Milwaukee trades Bogut and the #8 for the 3rd pick in a 2 man draft. Mayo just isn't worth that.

The rumor seems to be contingent on Beasley falling to three. Read the thread.

revprodeji wrote: Shrink. The front office is divided on Beasley. That does not mean McHale. I dont know who. Last time I checked our "braintrust" was 7 or so guys.

I understand. What I've been refering to were the rumors that came out before the lottery that McHale was concerned with Beasley's character, and thought of him a little like Isiah Rider, which is maybe the biggest insult one can come up with around here. I'm skeptical of most rumors unless they come from sources that have some reputation, but the thing I found odd about this was that it came out before the lottery. If its true, it would not be McHale muddying water before he knew what his pick was -- otherwise he starts their relationship off on the wrong foot.

I can certainly understand the front office being split on Beasley. However, like Mayo, he's a "swing for the fences" kind of guy, so I personally wouldn't trade up for either one.

JoeHova wrote:There is no way Milwaukee trades Bogut and the #8 for the 3rd pick in a 2 man draft. Mayo just isn't worth that. I could see them having discussed it in the sense of "hey, if Beasley is there at 3, would you give us Bogut and 8?", but there is no way they do that to get Mayo. The Bucks need to compete to save their franchise, they aren't going to trade their most valuable player and a lotto pick for a guy who will probably take a few years to develop and even then might not be as good as Michael Redd.

I could maybe see Bogut alone for #3 (depending how drastic of a rebuild they want to try), but no way does McHale pull off Bogut and #8. CV and #8, probably. Yi and #8, maybe. Bogut and #8? No way in hell.

And people are even crazier if they think the Clippers would give #7 and Kaman for #3. This is a market where (supposedly) all it takes to move up from #4 to #2 is the willingness to take on 2 years of Mark Blount's contract.

Damn, I guess we'll just have to take Mayo then. What a shame.