The #2 Pick

[DEEP3CL]

No way Minnesota is going to pass him up. I just can't see it.

Well Sedale this could very well be the ploy. I'm not gonna get stoked by workout video but Towns is more than adequate, this is why I kept saying we can't go wrong with either. I find it odd though that Towns workout vids are posted and Okafor who's working out here in LA as well isn't ?

Honestly I know we're all split here on who to take, I don't care who we end up with in terms of both of the bigs. I just want the Lakers to do the right thing in this draft so that we can build back toward making just the playoffs. We have a lot of work cut out for us just to even do that.

[Curuch13]

Let me ask you guys this:

If you're Flip Saunders. Who do you want to pair Wiggins with for the next 5-10 years?

As a TWolves fan, my answer will be coming out of left field..... Emmanuel Mudiay. Firstly, let's not be delusional to think that this should only be a 2-player discussion for the top pick. There are 4 (and arguably 5 if you are bold enough to include Kristaps Porzingis like some GM's are) prospects in this draft that can make a case for #1. For the Lakers I can understand limiting the choices as to who is left of Towns and Okafor. For us, we have to be more open-minded with our options.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMAaK9jtb8U[/youtube]

Flip has said that he wants to build a running team around Wiggins and LaVine (notice that he made no mention of Rubio). Mudiay fits the bill perfectly. LaVine is statistically ranked as the worst defending PG in the league, so I would think of eventually moving him to SG if there is no improvement there. Rubio is overpaid regardless of the rising cap but I believe he is still viewed favorably in the league and I think we can get a first round pick for him especially from a team that wants to make a run at Kevin Love (i.e. Celtics). As for our bigs, I feel that Dieng and Pek (although injury prone) are serviceable enough. NBA has turned into a guard-league especially in the West and it would take massive grassroots re-orientation for this to shift in the near to mid-term.

If I were Flip I will detach myself from any sentimental attachment of winning the #1 pick and explore trading down. I would look to do a trade with these two teams in the Atlantic:

Minny gives: Ricky Rubio
Boston gives: Gerald Wallace, Kelly Olynyk, #16 Pick

Minny gives: #1 Pick (Towns), Chase Budginger
NY gives: #4 Pick (Mudiay), Tim Hardaway Jr, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, 2018 1st Round Pick

[kblo247]

Just a random thought about okafor after repeatedly seeing people say he has the best post game since Duncan. I tend to see some Hakeem when watching him. Moves are so smooth and he builds counters upon counters similar to The Dream.

Blasphemy to mention Hakeem and Okafor in the same breath as Hakeem was way more nimble on his toes than any big to ever step on a court.


That said doc, if towns falls in love with that J, do you see some Rasheed Wallace in him?

[DEEP3CL]

As a TWolves fan, my answer will be coming out of left field..... Emmanuel Mudiay.

But you guys have this player already in Lavine and Drew ! I watched 1:32 of the vid you posted and guess what was missing ?

NOT ONE JUMPER TAKEN. this has to be alarming....well for a guy like me it is, I mean it's bad enough Rubio gets flamed for not being able to shoot. This is why Mudiay remains a mystery....can he shoot it or not, from most scouting reports I've read he has trouble in that area.

Flip has said that he wants to build a running team around Wiggins and LaVine (notice that he made no mention of Rubio). Mudiay fits the bill perfectly.

That's odd to me seeing as Rubio pushes it pretty well in transition and regardless if he can't shoot, he's an exceptional passer.

Rubio is overpaid regardless of the rising cap but I believe he is still viewed favorably in the league and I think we can get a first round pick for him especially from a team that wants to make a run at Kevin Love (i.e. Celtics).

That's asking a lot for a non shooter, and I don't see how it ties into Love at all. Chances are he won't leave the Cavs, finding a taker for Rubio will be tough considering his salary.

[kblo247]

I could see it deep. Rubio stays hurt. They may think about a G because of it

[dockingsched]

Player's developing their jump shot is probably one of the more common accomplishments for all players, specially guards. Ideally you'd want a guard that has a shot already in his toolkit, but all things considered, a poor shot is probably one of the least concerning aspects to a guard prospect. I believe the Spurs are a team that has this point of view, and its worked out for them imo.

[dockingsched]

Just a random thought about okafor after repeatedly seeing people say he has the best post game since Duncan. I tend to see some Hakeem when watching him. Moves are so smooth and he builds counters upon counters similar to The Dream.

Blasphemy to mention Hakeem and Okafor in the same breath as Hakeem was way more nimble on his toes than any big to ever step on a court.


That said doc, if towns falls in love with that J, do you see some Rasheed Wallace in him?

Thats an interesting comparison and brings to mind just how easily Wallace could've developed into a superstar if the mental aspect of the game was there. Wallace was a great man defender, good help defender, great in the post, and range to the three point line. He really had no glaring weaknesses. As for the comparison, I don't think Towns will ultimately be as perimeter oriented as Wallace eventually became.

[Slava]

Sheed was also probably in the wrong generation for a player like him. He never found his niche until he met Larry Brown in 2004.

[magicbesteva]

Let me ask you guys this:

If you're Flip Saunders. Who do you want to pair Wiggins with for the next 5-10 years?

As a TWolves fan, my answer will be coming out of left field..... Emmanuel Mudiay

Wow if Minnesota picked Mudiay or Russell that would shake things up big time! The Knicks would be celebrating if they had the chance at a big or Russell. I can't wait for draft night! Things are going to be interesting

[Curuch13]

Let me ask you guys this:

If you're Flip Saunders. Who do you want to pair Wiggins with for the next 5-10 years?

As a TWolves fan, my answer will be coming out of left field..... Emmanuel Mudiay

Wow if Minnesota picked Mudiay or Russell that would shake things up big time! The Knicks would be celebrating if they had the chance at a big or Russell. I can't wait for draft night! Things are going to be interesting

The consensus with Minny fans is Towns 1st and Okafor 2nd. I am one of the very few trying to think 'out of the box'.

Although Flip may push things further by drafting Kristaps Porzingis. He seems to be enamored by him and PF is actually our weakest position. If he does this, I really hope he trades down though. Would be such a bold move though it will send a strong message to the guys (i.e. Towns, Okafor, Mudiay) who do not want to do workouts for us.

[Curuch13]

As a TWolves fan, my answer will be coming out of left field..... Emmanuel Mudiay.

But you guys have this player already in Lavine and Drew ! I watched 1:32 of the vid you posted and guess what was missing ?

NOT ONE JUMPER TAKEN. this has to be alarming....well for a guy like me it is, I mean it's bad enough Rubio gets flamed for not being able to shoot. This is why Mudiay remains a mystery....can he shoot it or not, from most scouting reports I've read he has trouble in that area.

Flip has said that he wants to build a running team around Wiggins and LaVine (notice that he made no mention of Rubio). Mudiay fits the bill perfectly.

That's odd to me seeing as Rubio pushes it pretty well in transition and regardless if he can't shoot, he's an exceptional passer.

Rubio is overpaid regardless of the rising cap but I believe he is still viewed favorably in the league and I think we can get a first round pick for him especially from a team that wants to make a run at Kevin Love (i.e. Celtics).

That's asking a lot for a non shooter, and I don't see how it ties into Love at all. Chances are he won't leave the Cavs, finding a taker for Rubio will be tough considering his salary.

I think we can play Mudiay, Lavine and Wiggins simultaneously at the 1-2-3 and our uptempo team will be in full throttle. I am not that concerned about Mudiay's shooting form, I don't think it's broken.

Rubio should be tradeable. Love absolutely loved having Rubio as his PG. Worst case we can force the Knicks to swallow his contract in trading down with them in exchange for Calderon's shorter and relatively friendlier contract. I expect the Knicks to strike out in free agency and would therefore explore a move such as this. If Melo thrived with a PG like Andre Miller, Phil should be able to work things out with Rubio, triangle offense or not.

[dipstick]

As a TWolves fan, my answer will be coming out of left field..... Emmanuel Mudiay

Wow if Minnesota picked Mudiay or Russell that would shake things up big time! The Knicks would be celebrating if they had the chance at a big or Russell. I can't wait for draft night! Things are going to be interesting

The consensus with Minny fans is Towns 1st and Okafor 2nd. I am one of the very few trying to think 'out of the box'.

Although Flip may push things further by drafting Kristaps Porzingis. He seems to be enamored by him and PF is actually our weakest position. If he does this, I really hope he trades down though. Would be such a bold move though it will send a strong message to the guys (i.e. Towns, Okafor, Mudiay) who do not want to do workouts for us.

I don't think Towns/Okafor/Mudiay would care. If they really don't want to work out for the Wolves because they don't want to be drafted by them, then thats exactly what they want to happen.

However, I don't think anyone would be stupid enough not to trade down to get Porzingis. Knicks would readily trade up. At the very least, do try to get a future pick.

[Tarik_shaq]

i wonder where julius randle would be placed in the 2013 anthony bennet draft. id say top 5

[magicbesteva]

As a TWolves fan, my answer will be coming out of left field..... Emmanuel Mudiay

Wow if Minnesota picked Mudiay or Russell that would shake things up big time! The Knicks would be celebrating if they had the chance at a big or Russell. I can't wait for draft night! Things are going to be interesting

The consensus with Minny fans is Towns 1st and Okafor 2nd. I am one of the very few trying to think 'out of the box'.

Although Flip may push things further by drafting Kristaps Porzingis. He seems to be enamored by him and PF is actually our weakest position. If he does this, I really hope he trades down though. Would be such a bold move though it will send a strong message to the guys (i.e. Towns, Okafor, Mudiay) who do not want to do workouts for us.

http://hoopshype.com/archive/rumors/201 ... 150601.htm

looks like Mudiay is not going to workout for the TWolves

[PKABOOICU]

i wonder where julius randle would be placed in the 2013 anthony bennet draft. id say top 5

top 5??

he would probably end up going top 2 overall. It would be between him and Oladipo. Remember, that Randle was widely considered a top 2-3 pick in last years draft only behind wiggins and parker, and last years draft was a pretty stacked draft.

[Mirjalovic]

Randle will be the top pick in 2013.

Oladipo, Len, Noel werent consensus top pick.

[oneseven]

If Minny wanted Mudiay they could make a swap with NY and a get a kings ransom.

[ak7]

If Minny wanted Mudiay they could make a swap with NY and a get a kings ransom.

in the form of what? the Knicks aren't exactly overflowing with assets

[LApwnd]

I know why Towns is listed as PF, but is he a C in the nba?

[kblo247]

If Minny wanted Mudiay they could make a swap with NY and a get a kings ransom.

in the form of what? the Knicks aren't exactly overflowing with assets

Or trade with Orlando. Then get our pick that we owe Orlando, Gordon's ungaranteed 3mil contract, the number 5 pick in this draft, and look to offload a bad deal since Orlando has cap space. Orlando could easily be a trade down partner if they want and the fact is the magic are known for their big guy grooming too.