Cousins it is...

[SacKingZZZ]

Maybe this is the "smokescreen" hahaha.

[LeBron's Time]

when the knicks announced they will take stephon curry, is that smokescreen?

i guess the kings convince that the nets will draft wes johnson and the minnesota will draft favors.

Minnesota Active On Phones/Jefferson for Randolph?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been burning up the phone lines the last few days looking for a trade.

They've discussed deals to move up to No. 2 for Evan Turner, a 4 for 7 swap with the Pistons, and have looked at moving their other draft picks (16 and 23) to either get up in the draft or to add another veteran.

However, the most consistent thing I'm hearing is that the team appears to be determined to move Al Jefferson. According to sources they've offered him to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince this week and have also contacted the Pacers about their interest in Jefferson for Troy Murphy's expiring contract.

However, the latest thing I'm hearing out of Minnesota may have the most legs. Sources have told me that the Wolves and Grizzlies have been discussing a swap that would send Jefferson to the Grizzlies for Zach Randolph. The deal would allow the Wolves to save a lot of money over time. Randolph has one year, $17.6 million left on his contract. Jefferson has three years, $42 million left.

According to sources, Randolph's ongoing legal problems aren't an imediment to Minnesota who is doing the trade in an effort to get out of Jefferson's deal and free up more playing time for Kevin Love and potentially Derrick Favors if he falls to them with the No. 4 pick.

While sources stressed that the two sides were still just discussing the deal, one source sounded optimistic that it could actually happen.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... up-the-p...

minnesota will take favors at #4

[Passive Sloth]

Minnesota is actively shopping Jefferson which leads me to believe they are drafting Cousins.

With Darko and Pekovic shoe-ins at Center there. I think Favors is the guy if WJ is off the board.

Kahn views Love and Jefferson as redudant(Favors would be different) and because Jefferson is more expensive he's trying to move him.

[ICMTM]

I think the Kings are comfortable enough with either Cousins or Favors that they will keep either guy. I think the key is where is Wesley Johnson going to go. If he goes before us we will get Cousins or Favors. I think that is that! I also think that if NJN drafted Johnson they better want him. Watch for Favors/Cousins @ 2 to Philly. I'm not sold they are taking Evan Turner.

We aren't drafting Greg Monroe unless Favors/Cousins are gone.

[Castor_Troy]

All the sudden Grant & Mike go from hating DMC and saying they would never draft him to now softening their stance saying its a risk the Kings need to take. If company man Grant is hyping Cousins you can put it in the book and send him to the line, if he's there at 5 he will be a King.

[RoyalCourtJestr]

A few thoughts -

No way does Philly not take Turner. Absolutely no way they pass on that. If Philly passes on Turner it'll be for Favors, and then Turner goes to NJ anyways.

NJ won't pass on Favors unless Turner is there. I don't buy the Wesley story for a second.

Minny wouldn't seriously pass on Favors. Kahn is an idiot and the other 29 GMs don't buy Favors being overweight for a second. He is trying to get NJ to pass on Favors, and I think NJ is playing on that with the "give us picks or we take Johnson" bit.

If somehow everything goes wrong, and the draft leaves us with Wesley and Monroe to choose from, I will cry.

[jeffjtk1234]

I think he will be too...but its really odd that it was leaked. It smells fishy to me. GP never leaks ANYTHING. Case in point...Dally trade lol

[LeBron's Time]

no need to do smokescreen(we will pick cousins) if monroe is the guy. monroe will be safe at #5

[ADoaN17]

Minnesota is actively shopping Jefferson which leads me to believe they are drafting Cousins.

That what it seems like to me. If Johnson is gone i think they take Cousins.

[deNIEd]

Maybe we're trying to force Pistons to come up with a better deal?

[RoyalCourtJestr]

Would Minny really draft a guy who didn't work out for them/doesn't want to be there for the 2nd time in a row? My gut says no GM is that stupid.

[Castor_Troy]

Dude its Kahn...expect the unexpected!

[rpa]

Maybe we're trying to force Pistons to come up with a better deal?

Look at their roster; what exactly could they offer the Kings?