RealGM

With 2 picks inside the top 6, can we all agree that trading Kevin Love for yet another first round pick would be sheer lunacy? Please note when you read that I believe either Kevin or Al should be traded eventually...

My arguments are as follows:

1. If the team is set on drafting either Rubio or Thabeet, the Wolves should theoretically be able to acquire them using either the 5 or 6 in combination with 18, 28, next year's Utah pick, or Pekovic.

2. Neither of Rubio nor Thabeet are a lock to be superstars (one is even EUROPEAN!!!!).

3. In the words of Akon, "whoever said the struggle would stop today?" I suspect that the Wolves will still be considered a rebuilding team one year from now. No reason to make a hasty move now.

4. Al's knee was injured last year. It's unlikely, yet entirely possible, that Jefferson re-injures his knee or does not return to his previous playing ability.

5. Barring injury, Love's trade value will likely increase over the course of another season. Regardless of Al's playing time next season, he will be a prominent part of the team's plans. One poster suggested yesterday that Kevin's value has plateaued, and that scouts and coaches will exploit his weaknesses. I assume this poster is in the minority.

Thoughts?

He def has not plateaued.

Like I've said previously, I could see a trade of either pick 5 or 6 and Love for 2 and either Mike Conley or Rudy Gay.

I was mostly referring to a trade involving Love straight-up for a pick. I could be talked into a Gay Love swap, but Conley doesn't...excite me...as much.

Regardless, I think we have enough pieces to draft the player(s) we covet without dealing Love.

dunkonu21, I found another supporter of Griffin at SF on the trade board. I asked him if he wanted to join your bandwagon but I don't think he responded.

I didn't really like the Love trade talk to begin with so I will be happy when the draft is over and Love is still on the Wolves.

Thoughts?

Let them eat static.

Through a Kahn-duit perhaps?

With everything that's come out lately, we only trade up to #2 to get Rubio. So it would be luncy to trade Love and #6 to get #2 and Conley because then Conley and Rubio are both playing the point.

What I can see is something based around #6, #18, and #28 for #2, but the filler part would be interesting because Jaric can't come back here until the 28th. So maybe a pre-arranged add on 3 days later of Jaric for Cardinal? I wouldn't like it much, though.

But I can see the Grizzlies prefering the #6 over the #5 because they know we have no interest in Jordan Hill, and they get to pay him a couple bucks less at #6 than they would at #5.

We then have the #2 and #5. Who do we target?

I'd love Rubio and Harden, it's my prefered solution at those spots, but what are the two hardest positions to fill and most important? Center and shooting guard.

OKC likes Harden, as he fill the hole at SG and he helps Westbrook with the ball handling duties.
Kings don't need a big man with Hawes/Thompson, and they need a point guard. Evams, Flynn, Jennings...

So this leaves us with a Rubio/Thabeet draft.

Frontcourt - Thabeet/Jefferson/Love
SF - Gomes
Backcourt - Rubio/Telfair/Brewer

We're definitely in need of a scorer on the wing, which could potentially be found with Madsen/Smith/Thomas, and maybe that's another part of these moves that Kahn's making?

But I think at the end of the day it would be dumb to trade Love as now we have a set frontcourt for the next 8+ years, and an identity.

I dont see why a Songalia/Jaric swap couldnt be made. Same length of contract but about $6M less over the span of the deal. Plus if its like J2J said and its just a one for one a few days after, we could send Songalia by himself.

Maybe it isnt enough value, but i dunno.

I'm not sure Rubio is a good fit with our half court offense.

I think Evans and Thabeet is what is going down.

And then Teague or Henderson at 18 for some more talent in the backcourt?

GopherIt! wrote:I'm not sure Rubio is a good fit with our half court offense.

I think Evans and Thabeet is what is going down.

But then what is the "one to go" from "one down, one to go"? That might not be the exact quote but I am too tired to figure out what thread it is in.

apparently its from Rev's whored out Facebook.

The anticipation is killing me

B Calrissian wrote:

GopherIt! wrote:I'm not sure Rubio is a good fit with our half court offense.

I think Evans and Thabeet is what is going down.

But then what is the "one to go" from "one down, one to go"? That might not be the exact quote but I am too tired to figure out what thread it is in.

i don't know either. I'm tired, I kahn't go on anymore. If I try to force it, the jokes will only get worse.

What about Love for Jeff Green?

Equal value IMO and balances each team nicely.

Love/5 for Green/3

Thats more like it

Steve_Holiday wrote: I could be talked into a Gay Love swap

I bet...

Love has higher value than Green. If we do it to get Rubio, who do we draft at #6? The options are ugly. If we do it to get Harden because Rubio's gone, then we can take Curry or Evans at #6 depending on what the Kings do. If we do it to get Thabeet, then it's either Evans or Curry again at #6 depending on what the Kings do.

A Love trade actually makes more sense to me now that we have the 5th pick.

I'd do Love/6 for Gay/2

Gives Memphis more rebounding help(and fills a need) and they could take Derozen or a prospect 3 with the 6 who could complement OJ better than Rudy.

Draft Rubio 2 and Harden 5.

Rubio/Bassy
Harden/Brewer
Gay/Gomes
Jefferson/Smith
????/Thomas

Leaves one more position to be filled; starting C