Recent events and trends in the NBA world may have led you to believe that the league consists of approximately eight teams: The Heat, Mavericks, Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, Knicks, Bulls, and Thunder. Alas, these teams merely compose the league’s upper class. And much like the nation’s recession, many of the NBA’s middle and lower class teams have been struggling through mediocrity for years now. For one particularly woe begotten team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who haven’t won more than 33 games in any of the past six years, losing 60+ games three times in that span, I would like to suggest a path out of the darkness.
GM David Kahn may have finally lured Ricky Rubio state-side, and though the Spaniard is allegedly a wizard with the basketball, he may not be the magical anecdote for fixing the Wolves. Here is what Minnesota needs to do to improve their roster: fire sale.
GM David Kahn may have finally lured Ricky Rubio state-side, and though the Spaniard is allegedly a wizard with the basketball, he may not be the magical anecdote for fixing the Wolves. Here is what Minnesota needs to do to improve their roster: fire sale.
With the exception of Kevin Love and Wesley Johnson, I would put every single player on this roster on the trading block. Love gave the Wolves 20 points and 15 boards per game last year; he has to stay. Johnson is an elite athlete with offensive upside and the ability to defend the opponents’ best perimeter scorer.
Johnny Flynn had a promising rookie year averaging 14 points and 4 assists per game in 2009-2010, but he seemed to fall off the radar completely this year. Moving him while he still has value would be ideal, but may be easier said than done.
For someone to bring in, the Wolves must target Golden State guard Monta Ellis. The Warriors are clearly looking to move Ellis, but they wouldn’t want Flynn. They would like to get bigger at the guard spots and run with a more physical two guard next to the slight Stephen Curry. Minnesota could offer their second overall pick in this year’s draft along with Michael Beasley in exchange for Ellis. That might seem like a lot to give up, but this is considered a historically weak draft, and Beasley is a lazy defender and a guy who seems more interested in his stat-line than winning games, though ultimately a productive player. The Warriors would get a very high pick with which they could draft a bigger shooting guard or a true center to play alongside David Lee, plus Beasley, who has value as a scorer or as a tradable asset. With new coach Mark Jackson, the Warriors will be looking for a new identity, and this trade gives them options, flexibility, and young talent.
Ellis, Johnson, and Love would be a good trio at the 2, 3, and 4 positions and can be built around. Love is a proven All-Star in the post; Ellis gives the Wolves a legitimate top flight scorer, averaging 25 points per game over the last two years; and Johnson could continue to develop as a scorer and defender. At the point position the Wolves could play a bit of the waiting game and see who shines brighter between Rubio and Flynn next year. They may have a star between the two or they may not, but both will benefit from the presence of Ellis.
At center the Timberwolves must get a player that can defend the rim, because for all of Love’s strengths, he lacks the athleticism and length to be an impactful deterrent in the paint. Maybe the Wolves’ young Anthony Randolph could be that guy, but he’s another project player. Packaging Randolph, Flynn, and next year’s first pick for a player like Clippers center Chris Kaman would be a solid move.
The Clippers have been looking to integrate young Deandre Jordan at the center spot, so Kaman may be movable. The deal in question would mean some nice talent—Flynn and Randolph—plus a future pick provide a sound return for the Clippers. Flynn could run the point next to up-and-coming star Eric Gordon, and of course Blake Griffin will continue his ascent into the NBA’s elite. The salaries work in this deal since Randolph and Flynn come on the cheap, and Kaman’s salary is manageable for the Wolves who have cap space aplenty.
Now the Wolves would have Rubio, Ellis, Johnson, Love, and Kaman as their starting five. I admit Rubio is a mystery, but he would be surrounded by good NBA talent, and if he has ability, it will show in this lineup. Ellis is a legitimate top scorer; Love is an All-Star; and the 7-foot, 265-pound Kaman brings the size necessary to complement Love down low.
What the Wolves haven’t had since Kevin Garnett left is proven NBA talent, and this series of moves would give them two young stars to build around—Ellis and Love—along with a player I think will be pretty good in Johnson. Kaman is the perfect, no-frills center that cleans the glass and is a capable scorer.
With this group, instead of trotting out five prospects who may or may not become good players, the Wolves would have a foursome of good NBA players, plus Rubio. Martell Webster is a solid bench player for Minnesota, as is Luke Ridnour, and Minnesota would have money left over to add to their bench.
Hey, what do you know, it looks like we not only fixed the T-Wolves, but we helped out the Warriors and Clippers as well. In each case teams get what they want in these deals. The Wolves get a star and some more established talent to build a competitive team. The Clippers shed a player whose replacement looks ready to step in and surround emerging stars Gordon and Griffin with more young talent and a future pick. The Warriors move the smallish Ellis for the second overall pick this year, and a guy in Beasley who can score 20 per night or be traded again for decent value.
--from @AdamHocking
