ESPN: Grizzlies and Wolves close to swapping 25/28 for 16

[I Am Awesome-O]

The Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves are close to swapping first-round draft picks, a source with direct knowledge of the situation tells ESPN.com's Andy Katz.

The Grizzlies would send their 25th and 28th overall picks to Minnesota for the Timberwolves' 16th pick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2010 ... id=5315275

Really hope this goes through. Rather than selling one of the late picks, which we all know was bound to happen, they consolidate both of them to move up and take a higher-level prospect.

Don't really know why Minnesota would do it. Why do they want more late 1st round picks?

[Grizzlies76]

Does anyone have a guess who we'd take at 16?

[I Am Awesome-O]

Does anyone have a guess who we'd take at 16?

I'm thinking Eric Bledsoe or Elliot Williams.

[funkatron101]

I see no reason why the Wolves do this.

[It_Was_Typed]

Paul George and Patrick Patterson?

[I Am Awesome-O]

I see no reason why the Wolves do this.

Neither do I TBH.

[360]

They are probably trying to acquire the 16th to have a more enticing pick to package with the 12 and Mayo. OJ is under-appreciated. Not saying Paul wouldn't be worth losing OJ, but overall the Grizzlies haven't shown that they value Mayo much. If they had put the ball in his hand from day one and made this his team, Mayo for Monta or Mayo for Paul wouldn't be a conversation.

[ThreeYearPlan]

#12: Paul George/Xavier Henry
#16: Bradley/Bledsoe

[I Am Awesome-O]

They are probably trying to acquire the 16th to have a more enticing pick to package with the 12 and Mayo. OJ is under-appreciated. Not saying Paul wouldn't be worth losing OJ, but overall the Grizzlies haven't shown that they value Mayo much. If they had put the ball in his hand from day one and made this his team, Mayo for Monta or Mayo for Paul wouldn't be a conversation.

I'm not saying that Mayo isn't under-appreciated here, because he is, but I don't think this has anything to do with him. I think the Grizzlies would much rather have a higher-level prospect with a guaranteed salary than two lower-level prospects on guaranteed salaries, so they are hoping to make this swap.

[ThreeYearPlan]

I'd actually rather not do this deal since they'll probably take Bledsoe who at best is Kyle Lowry which is not a definite upgrade to Conley

[It_Was_Typed]

Eric Bledsoe and Elliot Williams (Avery Bradley too) haven't even worked out for Memphis. I know Wallace said that didn't matter but that's bull unless Heisley really likes one of them.

I think the team is hoping for some combo of Paul George, Patrick Patterson, Luke Babbitt, Xavier Henry and James Anderson at 12 and 16.

[mid-post]

It might be an irrational worry, but I'm starting to wonder if George or Henry will still be on the board when the Grizzlies pick at 12. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[I Am Awesome-O]

It might be an irrational worry, but I'm starting to wonder if George or Henry will still be on the board when the Grizzlies pick at 12. Hopefully I'm wrong.

That's not irrational at all. In fact, it's a distinct possibility. Hopefully it doesn't go down like that, but there's a good chance it does.

[ThreeYearPlan]

Does Memphis like James Anderson? I haven't heard his name at all for the Grizz but he seemed like a good fall back at #12 and seems perfect at #16 if Henry and George are gone before #12

[dark-child]

One of two things make sense, whether we view them as good is another story.

1st - The Grizz needed to jump in front of the Miami Heat who were targeting Bledsoe and that is the pick at #16.

2nd - The pick will be packaged with something else for what another team required to make a deal because the #25 & #28 would not get it done. (I hope it will be worth it)

[mid-post]

Does Memphis like James Anderson? I haven't heard his name at all for the Grizz but he seemed like a good fall back at #12 and seems perfect at #16 if Henry and George are gone before #12

Most reports I've seen describe him as a good shooter but poor to average college defender and average athlete.
So...not sure.

[lilojmayo]

They are probably trying to acquire the 16th to have a more enticing pick to package with the 12 and Mayo. OJ is under-appreciated. Not saying Paul wouldn't be worth losing OJ, but overall the Grizzlies haven't shown that they value Mayo much. If they had put the ball in his hand from day one and made this his team, Mayo for Monta or Mayo for Paul wouldn't be a conversation.

It is more Hollins doesnt value OJ, and he is trying to make a name by being the one who develops mike conley into the next Steve Nash.

We all know Rudy doesn't care where he plays small market or big market as long as he is getting paid, that's partially why Grizzlies may match a max deal for him

With OJ is it totally different. He hyped basketball phenom since he was a 7th grade when he appeared in sports illustrated. Then almost transferred to Oak Hill Academy as a junior. Then went to a big market in Los Angeles to play college ball. He has received nation attention since he was 13 years old. He is a type of player that will leave a small market without thinking twice come contract year and the Grizzlies know it. That's why they are shopping him around.

He is averaging 18/4/3 his first 2 years. If he was averaging 23/4/4 in his first two seasons I believe that the Grizzlies would still trying to be shopping him around because of his background and mindset for big markets.

[BarbaGrizz]

I really hope that this is a small piece of a bigger move, cause I think we could get more valuable pieces at #25 and #28 than at #16...

[One Love]

Xavier Henry...