Pre-Draft Thread / Workout Updates

[Klomp]

Flip: "Victor is probably the safest player in the draft, but he might have the biggest upside as well."
"He could very easily be taken at 2."
"You can't deplete your roster in order to get him."

"Derrick is 21. He'd be a top 5 guy this yr. No rookie training camp. Last year, he got too big. If he loses weight, which hes doing, develop his post game. I think he can be a formidable guy and fit in Ricks system."
"What is his position? I think he can guard SFs at a smaller weight"

Where was this from?

Flip on KFAN right now

[FinnTheHuman]

Flip: "Victor is probably the safest player in the draft, but he might have the biggest upside as well."
"He could very easily be taken at 2."
"You can't deplete your roster in order to get him."

"Derrick is 21. He'd be a top 5 guy this yr. No rookie training camp. Last year, he got too big. If he loses weight, which hes doing, develop his post game. I think he can be a formidable guy and fit in Ricks system."
"What is his position? I think he can guard SFs at a smaller weight"

The 1st thing I can't agree on with Flip. Derrick is not a SF, especially not in today's small ball.

[Klomp]

Said he liked Oladipo more than McLemore

"I like them both. VO more ready. Ben has great offensive ability. Oladipo has "it" factor. Maybe thats because I've seen him more..."

Oladipo NOT the only guy Flip would trade up for.

[Klomp]

There's a couple international guys (we have rights to) who might be in the mix for next year. Mentioned Hummel and Bjelica.

"Adelman's not gonna want 4 rookies"

"Bjelica has talent, but is he ready yet? Don't want to bring internationals over too soon."

"Trade up has to be for someone able to step in day one and be a starter. Theres a couple guys up there who might fit in with our current roster construction."

[NikolaPekovic]

I would be comfortable starting VO or Mcelmore at some point during the year if we were to move up. Give them a harrison barnes type of role with gsw. Mostly a defender and spot up shooter.

[Howard Cosell]

Darren Wolfson @DarrenWolfson


Flip on KFAN confirms the belief: Oladipo is ahead of McLemore on the #Twolves board.

------------------------------------------------


Why is Flip being so honest on the radio....or is he?

I believe Flip may already have some agreement with the Bobcats to select Oladipo at 4# for them, and if the TWOLVES can land Len or Zeller at 9....well...I think the trade happens with Williams going to the Bobcats and some horrible contract coming back to the TWOLVES.

Something along the lines of the following:

Charlotte Bobcats trade their 1st Round Pick (4th overall) + Tyrus Thomas (8.7 Mil) to the Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves trade their 1st Round Pick (9th overall) + Derrick Williams (5.0 Mil)+ Luke Ridnour (4.3 Mil) to the Bobcats.


Flip is being too aggressive with his comments about moving up to try to get Oladipo without there being some logical reasoning behind it.

I think Flip is already trying to justify the overpay on this trade prior to it actually happening... in some weird passive-aggressive manner.

Could I be crazy in thinking this?.....probably.

But have you ever heard of a GM-President talk so openly about what he wants in this draft?

Is it all a smokescreen?

I don't think so. All Flip needs is for Orlando to pick Burke or Mclemore with the 2nd pick and I think...he thinks.. this sucker is going down.

Flip also mentioned on KFAN that there is one more guy he is willing to trade up for but he wouldn't mention the name. Who is the 2nd guy? Does this mean Flip is trading up to the Bobcats even if Oladipo is gone by the 4th pick?

It looks like it.

Interesting.

This needed its own thread IMO. Sorry guys.


BTW, I would still be onboard for this trade to happen. I think I'm nuts.

[NikolaPekovic]

Those flip quotes tell me its less likely derrick will be traded to move up. We would for sure need something back with the pick. Or maybe we could trade derrick for a a pick straight up? Use one on VO/Mcelmore and the other one on Len/Dieng/Adams

[Calinks]

Could also be smokescreen which everybody throws up around draft time. Rumor has it that McHale talking about picking KG was originally a smokescreen but KG actually grew on him the more they saw him in person.

[Howard Cosell]

You would think all of this is some smokescreen Flip is creating right now with this Oladipo talk, but HOLYSMOKE he would have to be a great actor if it was the case. He kept talking about how Oladipo can help an NBA team right away...the man was gushing over Oladipo. But Flip says there is another guy in the draft as well that he is willing to trade upward.

I think Flip has been laying the groundwork with the Bobcats (or maybe PHX) and has some loose agreement in place.


The "smokescreen or loose agreement" both seem to be impossible to me at this point when you look at it logically, but it has to be one or the other......right?

Flip is trolling us.

[Esohny]

[Dewey]

You would think all of this is some smokescreen Flip is creating right now with this Oladipo talk, but HOLYSMOKE he would have to be a great actor if it was the case. He kept talking about how Oladipo can help an NBA team right away...the man was gushing over Oladipo. But Flip says there is another guy in the draft as well that he is willing to trade upward.

I think Flip has been laying the groundwork with the Bobcats (or maybe PHX) and has some loose agreement in place.


The "smokescreen or loose agreement" both seem to be impossible to me at this point when you look at it logically, but it has to be one or the other......right?

Flip is trolling us.

Oladipo may be ahead of McLemore, but I bet he'd trade up for both ... if he can't trade up he'll take BPA/Zeller and trade for a Vet SG

[Adenusi]

Flip will make the right decision.

[NikolaPekovic]

I dont want zeller. I would be happy with Len/KCP/Shabazz or trading up for our two SGs..

[Dewey]

Those flip quotes tell me its less likely derrick will be traded to move up. We would for sure need something back with the pick. Or maybe we could trade derrick for a a pick straight up? Use one on VO/Mcelmore and the other one on Len/Dieng/Adams

Seriously? ... I thought he was pretty much saying DW is top 5 to help assure the value is there for us to move up --using him as the center piece.

[Twolf16]

This is my opinion on why we need to move up and grab someone like Oladipo rather than just settle for someone like Redick (that is if we could afford him)

Here is my problem with Redick and every or any other shooting guard that just shoots and makes 3 pointers. Besides making 3's, the casual jumpers, and playing pretty bad D, they really dont bring anything else besides a contract they are usually not worth.

I know that the Wolves had the worst 3 point percentage in the league but its going to improve by a lot next year. Love will be healthy as will Budinger, and Shved and Rubio will most likely improve. People would not have been complaining about our 3 point percentage had everyone been healthy and if we were in the playoffs. So that is why we do not need to overestimate the percentage and go for a guy like Redick who has almost no other intangibles and a contract he is not worth.

If the wolves make any trades or move up in the draft it should be for a guy like Oladipo. A guy who has shown tremendous work ethic, improves every year, has a high shooting percentage, (on a small sample size) brings fantastic defense and athleticism, has a high basketball IQ, and runs the floor very well.

I really feel like people are just thinking about the 3 point percentage. We need to think about our future also and not worry so much about the 3. I mean its important but lets not over emphasize. So that is why I would take many guards over Redick.

And about Derrick Williams; look he could be fantastic someday, but I do not see that being with the wolves. Yes, he is 22 and oozing with potential but if we are being honest minutes for him are very hard to come by. He needs to develop and thats not going to be with us. He would be fighting for the second spot in the Power Forward position, behind Love who logs big minutes and Cunningham is a great backup. As far as the SF position, he is ranking third there. I like Dwill but, a guy like Oladipo or Mclemore would help the Wolves out so much more than Redick or if we kept Dwill.

So Im really hoping Flip makes some smart moves to move up in this draft. Also I don't have anything against Redick, I actually think he can be a good player in the right system but I feel like Oladipo or Mclemore suits us better.

[NikolaPekovic]

Those flip quotes tell me its less likely derrick will be traded to move up. We would for sure need something back with the pick. Or maybe we could trade derrick for a a pick straight up? Use one on VO/Mcelmore and the other one on Len/Dieng/Adams

Seriously? ... I thought he was pretty much saying DW is top 5 to help assure the value is there for us to move up --using him as the center piece.

he said in another interview that Derrick and 9 is too much to move up for VO or BM. And that he still thinks highly of him. He says Derrick would be a top 5 guy in the draft now so it wouldnt make sense. would need to get an asset along with the pick.

[Howard Cosell]

You would think all of this is some smokescreen Flip is creating right now with this Oladipo talk, but HOLYSMOKE he would have to be a great actor if it was the case. He kept talking about how Oladipo can help an NBA team right away...the man was gushing over Oladipo. But Flip says there is another guy in the draft as well that he is willing to trade upward.

I think Flip has been laying the groundwork with the Bobcats (or maybe PHX) and has some loose agreement in place.


The "smokescreen or loose agreement" both seem to be impossible to me at this point when you look at it logically, but it has to be one or the other......right?

Flip is trolling us.

Oladipo may be ahead of McLemore, but I bet he'd trade up for both ... if he can't trade up he'll take BPA/Zeller and trade for a Vet SG

Mclemore could be the 2nd guy Flip was speaking of on KFAN...but I just didn't feel love from Flip - to Mclemore.

Is Flip this much into acting?.....he would have to be for this to be a smokescreen.

I think Flip is confident of the Twolves being successful in trading up....for whoever.

[Howard Cosell]

This is my opinion on why we need to move up and grab someone like Oladipo rather than just settle for someone like Redick (that is if we could afford him)

Here is my problem with Redick and every or any other shooting guard that just shoots and makes 3 pointers. Besides making 3's, the casual jumpers, and playing pretty bad D, they really dont bring anything else besides a contract they are usually not worth.

I know that the Wolves had the worst 3 point percentage in the league but its going to improve by a lot next year. Love will be healthy as will Budinger, and Shved and Rubio will most likely improve. People would not have been complaining about our 3 point percentage had everyone been healthy and if we were in the playoffs. So that is why we do not need to overestimate the percentage and go for a guy like Redick who has almost no other intangibles and a contract he is not worth.

If the wolves make any trades or move up in the draft it should be for a guy like Oladipo. A guy who has shown tremendous work ethic, improves every year, has a high shooting percentage, (on a small sample size) brings fantastic defense and athleticism, has a high basketball IQ, and runs the floor very well.

I really feel like people are just thinking about the 3 point percentage. We need to think about our future also and not worry so much about the 3. I mean its important but lets not over emphasize. So that is why I would take many guards over Redick.

And about Derrick Williams; look he could be fantastic someday, but I do not see that being with the wolves. Yes, he is 22 and oozing with potential but if we are being honest minutes for him are very hard to come by. He needs to develop and thats not going to be with us. He would be fighting for the second spot in the Power Forward position, behind Love who logs big minutes and Cunningham is a great backup. As far as the SF position, he is ranking third there. I like Dwill but, a guy like Oladipo or Mclemore would help the Wolves out so much more than Redick or if we kept Dwill.

So Im really hoping Flip makes some smart moves to move up in this draft. Also I don't have anything against Redick, I actually think he can be a good player in the right system but I feel like Oladipo or Mclemore suits us better.

Very good points.

We need someone who has the motor and speed to run with Rubio. This is why I'm willing to take on Thomas's horrific contract to make this happen....GULP

[Klomp]

This needed its own thread IMO. Sorry guys.

Not really, but since there's so much discussion already I'll keep it up.

[Howard Cosell]

Sorry Klomp.


What do you think is going on with Flip?

Is he confident that a deal is going to take place ?

Smokescreen?

Showing Borderline Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder?

I think its confidence in knowing he offered to take on Thomas's contract in this deal for the 4th and the Bobcats responded in the affirmative.