MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 1: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a foul during the second half of a basketball game against the Miami Heat at Target Center on April 1, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Heat defeated the Timberwolves 111- 92. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images)
The arrival of Ricky Rubio has given the Timberwolves significant momentum heading into Thursday's NBA draft.
Finding a point guard is no longer an urgent matter in the Wolves' draft preparation, but critical decisions remain for owner Glen Taylor, president of basketball operations David Kahn and assistant general manager Tony Ronzone.
The Wolves' No. 2 pick overall is the highest in the franchise's 23-year history. Do they hang on to the pick or use it in a trade to get an established veteran or veterans? Kahn has said the team needs to add experience to a young roster.
What if the Cleveland Cavaliers begin to have second thoughts about Duke point guard Kyrie Irving and take Arizona forward Derrick Williams instead with the No. 1 pick? That would leave the Wolves in an uncomfortable position after laboring for two years to get Rubio.
If Cleveland takes Irving, Williams is the consensus No. 2 pick. Can the Wolves afford to pass on him because they have a solid forward tandem with Kevin Love and Michael Beasley?
If the Wolves conclude that Williams would clutter the forward position, does that mean 6-foot-11 Enes Kanter becomes the team's post player of the future? And where would that leave Darko Milicic?
"We're prepared for a lot of scenarios," said Ronzone, who was hired by Kahn last summer to help head up the Wolves' draft process. "We've done a lot of homework, and we're still doing it. The bottom line is that we're in a very good
position."How the Wolves handle it could shape the direction of the franchise, particularly since the team doesn't have a first-round pick in next year's draft because of the infamous Sam Cassell-Marko Jaric trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2005.
The Wolves are counting on Ronzone's vast international scouting experience and nine-year run with the Detroit Pistons to help reduce the question marks that have followed Kahn through his first two drafts.
Though Wesley Johnson, the Wolves' No. 1 pick last year, was a second-team all-rookie selection, there are concerns whether the 6-7 wingman can become a consistent and effective shooting guard.
In Kahn's debut draft in 2009, he selected three point guards in the first round - and only Rubio (No. 5) figures to be on the roster next season. Jonny Flynn (No. 6) likely will be traded, perhaps Thursday, and Ty Lawson (No. 18) was dealt to Denver the night of the 2009 draft in a prearranged deal.
With the No. 2 pick this year, there is more scrutiny on the Wolves to make a move that will have an immediate impact on the team and impress a leery fan base.
"This draft does have some sensitivity after 17 wins this year and 15 last year," Wolves TV analyst Jim Petersen
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 1: Jonny Flynn #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles around Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat during a basketball game at Target Center on April 1, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images)
said. "There's a danger zone here that they have to strongly consider - having the second pick and not making a mistake on Derrick Williams. If you pass on him, are you passing on a potential superstar? That's what makes it so important right now."Most mock drafts have Irving going to Cleveland with the No. 1 pick, which could put the Wolves in something of a dilemma with Williams.
Whoever is coaching the Wolves next season, could the staff find a way for the versatile Williams to blend in with Love and Beasley? The 6-8 Williams has proven in workouts for NBA teams that he can play small forward or power forward, and he would be an upgrade in depth for the Wolves at both positions.
"The way the league is going, you can't get caught up in positions so much," Ronzone said. "Sometimes you just have to go with your five best players on the floor and let them play."
Even if that means having Williams, Love and Beasley on the floor at the same time in certain situations.
Selecting Williams would be another example of the Wolves' attempts to build through the draft. Barring a major trade, using the No. 2 pick on Williams or Kanter could affect the team's chances to add a quality veteran.
The No. 2 pick is a valuable commodity in trade talks.
Ronzone said it is still important for the Wolves to use the draft. The Wolves need look no further than at Northwest Division rival Oklahoma City as a role model for what the draft can do.
In the previous four drafts, Oklahoma City selected shooting guard James Harden (2009, No. 3 overall), point guard Russell Westbrook (2008, No. 4), center Serge Ibaka (2008, No. 24) and forward Kevin Durant (2007, No. 2).
The four are part of the nucleus that helped the Thunder win 50-plus games each of the past two seasons and advance to the Western Conference finals this season.
"Where we're at, we can't get too creative," Ronzone said. "We need to get the best player available. Whatever we do, we know we're going to get a very good player."
Follow Ray Richardson at twitter.com/twolvesnow.
Source: http://www.twincities.com/ci_18307951?source=rss_viewed
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