Kahn expects to keep 4th overall draft pick

[cpfsf]

http://www.twincities.com/ci_15326081?source=most_viewed&nclick_check=1

The NBA draft is Thursday, and there are have all sorts of rumors about the Minnesota Timberwolves trading their No. 4 overall pick. "Highly, highly, highly, highly unlikely," Wolves president David Kahn said this morning.

As for the possibility of trading rights to Spanish guard Ricky Rubio, who was the Wolves' top draft pick (No. 5 overall) a year ago, Kahn reiterated, "I don't anticipate trading him. I feel very strongly that Ricky Rubio should start his career with us here in a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform, and I look forward to that day a year from now."

"What's always been important to me is that we're competing for a championship," Kahn said, "competing in a real way, not in a B.S. way, in the next three to five years. Also what I want to do is to make certain that this is sustainable, that it's not a one-shot wonder, that it doesn't happen just one year and then we kind of fall off again. I want this to be a young team that breathes, lives together for a number of years."

[AQuintus]

Not too surprising. Based rumors over the past week or so, it seems likely that the Wolves are trying to get both Favors and Johnson. Since at least one of those two guys will definitely be available at 4, it doesn't make any sense to trade the pick.

Despite that, I'm guessing that Favors is in front of Johnson on the team's big board, so I wouldn't be surprised if they did end up using the 4 to move up to guarantee Favors if they find out that they can't get both.

[KariTakko]

Also what I want to do is to make certain that this is sustainable, that it's not a one-shot wonder, that it doesn't happen just one year and then we kind of fall off again. I want this to be a young team that breathes, lives together for a number of years.

I love that. I'm on Kahn's level when it comes to this. After waiting this long for a team that can compete, I want them to be able to compete for a long time. The team has been around for 20 years and we've been a contender for 2.

[Wolves21]

I guess all the Melo talk is now dead,No way they trade him just for Jefferson or Love and some scraps.

I real hope that the Wolve due make some real trades during the draft.By that I mean add atleast one prove elite/semi all-star or caliber player.I am going to be real pissed off If Kahn stays as is and draft two rookie and or trade Love/Jefferson for another draft pick.

I am tired of weighting around for this team to be good again.Six years is enough.Just look at the Celtics in 2006 and how bad they were.Then with the draft and trading some players and picks turned their team around and the next year they were NBA champions.Now I am not expecting the Wolves to be at that level but at .500 or more slipping into one of the last two playoff spots.

[shangrila]

You're setting your standards way too high. Playoff spots in the west? Between the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, Trailblazers, Jazz, Hornets, Thunder, Mavericks, Suns and Rockets, how exactly is the team meant to make it just by adding 1 semi-elite player?

And that'd be hard enough to do on its own anyway.

[digitaldropoff]

You're setting your standards way too high. Playoff spots in the west? Between the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, Trailblazers, Jazz, Hornets, Thunder, Mavericks, Suns and Rockets, how exactly is the team meant to make it just by adding 1 semi-elite player?

And that'd be hard enough to do on its own anyway.

I don't think we're a playoff team next year unless we add Wade or LBJ....but a solid draft and decent FA signing or trading for a tier 2 type of guy, combining next seasons draft and the arrival of Ricky, there's no reason to think we can't contend for the playoffs. The Spurs have a lot of work to do to sustain a winning franchise..they need to reload a lot of personal to stay competive past the next couple of year. The Rockets, Hornets and Jazz have all proven their fringe teams because their main pieces can't stay on the floor. I'm not saying we're a one or two seed in two years, but we're definatly knocking on the 7th and 8th seed. Assuming we don't f up in the draft.

[revprodeji]

This is my own take.

Would not surprise me if johnson was 1a and favors 1b. Johnson had an amazing time here and really impressed the right people.

I could see clearly their goal is to build a Foundation around rubio. Favors and Johnson might fit that better than anyone on the roster. I would put money on us finding a way to get both.

[PHTown]

Would not surprise me if johnson was 1a

That makes me sad. Does anyone else notice he seems injury prone?

[Cyborg21]

smokescreen......

[Foye]

This is my own take.

Would not surprise me if johnson was 1a and favors 1b. Johnson had an amazing time here and really impressed the right people.

I could see clearly their goal is to build a Foundation around rubio. Favors and Johnson might fit that better than anyone on the roster. I would put money on us finding a way to get both.

Hopefully

[shangrila]

I could see clearly their goal is to build a Foundation around rubio. Favors and Johnson might fit that better than anyone on the roster. I would put money on us finding a way to get both.

Well it takes two to deal so I won't hold my breath waiting for that, no offence. But if Kahn could pull that off without selling the farm, then I doubt anyone would doubt him again.

A quick question though. Have you heard about any talks about acquiring a player that the team can ISO? Seems to be the one thing missing from all of the realistic rumoured plans I've heard about what Kahn might be planning and it seems strange after all of his talk about needing a player like that when he first got here.

[IAmTheTruth]

This is my own take.

Would not surprise me if johnson was 1a and favors 1b. Johnson had an amazing time here and really impressed the right people.

I could see clearly their goal is to build a Foundation around rubio. Favors and Johnson might fit that better than anyone on the roster. I would put money on us finding a way to get both.

Yes please.

[breatnach]

I am tired of weighting around for this team to be good again.Six years is enough.Just look at the Celtics in 2006 and how bad they were.Then with the draft and trading some players and picks turned their team around and the next year they were NBA champions.Now I am not expecting the Wolves to be at that level but at .500 or more slipping into one of the last two playoff spots.

I'm sorry, but I think you're on your own there...

I've only been following the Wolves for maybe 10 or 11 years now, but I've had enough .500 seasons to last me a lifetime. I'd prefer to suck it up for one or two more years. The rebuild is almost over now anyway. Just add Rubio and another lottery pick, maybe pick up Melo in '11 FA and then we'll all be enjoying multiple trips to the WCF (or better!) until 2020.

[Breakdown777]

"What's always been important to me is that we're competing for a championship," Kahn said, "competing in a real way, not in a B.S. way, in the next three to five years. Also what I want to do is to make certain that this is sustainable, that it's not a one-shot wonder, that it doesn't happen just one year and then we kind of fall off again. I want this to be a young team that breathes, lives together for a number of years."

[/quote]

Hehe, it went from 18 months, to 2 years, to 3 to 5 years from now? He gave himself an unrealistic goal when he first started, and now all this reeling is probably annoying some fans who cannot grasp his "dynasty" philosophy.

I don't think we'll get Favors. It's just really difficult to get a team to sell such a high pick. I don't know if any GM has done it 2 years in a row. I'd be very impressed if his first 2 drafts came out with:

2009- 5th pick and 6th pick (Rubio and Flynn)
2010- 3rd pick and 4th pick (Favors and Johnson)
2011- 1st pick and 2nd pick? that'd be next in the pattern

[shangrila]

It obvious he means competing for 3-5 years. His 18 month window was talking about the rebuild and then he wants a team that will last together and compete at a real high level for years after it.

[SSUBluesman]

Awesome. So we're going to try and get the super-raw and bust likely Favors and Brewer with a 3 Johnson to pair with our franchise foundation the guy who's never played on this continent and may never actually do so. What could go wrong?

[Foye]

Awesome. So we're going to try and get the super-raw and bust likely Favors and Brewer with a 3 Johnson to pair with our franchise foundation the guy who's never played on this continent and may never actually do so. What could go wrong?

Have you a better solution for this mess created by draft screwery...eh lottery?

[C.lupus]

This is my own take.

Would not surprise me if johnson was 1a and favors 1b. Johnson had an amazing time here and really impressed the right people.

I could see clearly their goal is to build a Foundation around rubio. Favors and Johnson might fit that better than anyone on the roster. I would put money on us finding a way to get both.

Hopefully

Nash-Marion-Amare
Rubio-Johnson-Favors

[PeeDee]

Awesome. So we're going to try and get the super-raw and bust likely Favors and Brewer with a 3 Johnson to pair with our franchise foundation the guy who's never played on this continent and may never actually do so. What could go wrong?

Or we could take the fat, grounded, unmotivated, cant play more than 20 mins a game center to play with our fat, grounded, cant play more than 20 mins a game pf. They'll fit great with our never coming over overseas franchise foundation pg who is best built for a running game. What could go wrong?

I can see why you trend toward the hyperbolic doom and gloom approach! It's quite fun!

[Esohny]

This is my own take.

Would not surprise me if johnson was 1a and favors 1b. Johnson had an amazing time here and really impressed the right people.

I could see clearly their goal is to build a Foundation around rubio. Favors and Johnson might fit that better than anyone on the roster. I would put money on us finding a way to get both.

Hopefully

Nash-Marion-Amare
Rubio-Johnson-Favors

Hopefully they're the Suns with defense.