7 DAYS TO GO, DRAFTING 7TH
7th Overall: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Number 7 pick is the biggest mystery in the top 10. By draft day, the Wolves might be going to the podium twice during the first ten picks - that is if Minnesota unloads KG to Boston for the 5th pick. The Wolves 7th in '07 is critical because Minnesota is going to miss the draft the next two season. Minnesota has obligations to give up first round picks to both the Clippers for the Marko Jaric deal and to Boston for the Ricky Davis deal.
With this upcoming draft, it feels like NOW or NEVER for the Timberwolves. As a Minnesota native - I choose now, rather than never.
For the very first time since I saw that young, skinny kid grab the white 21 and smile all silly, it is the right time to cut ties with Garnett. The only way that the Timberwolves are going to do anything with Garnett on the roster is if the number 7 overall pick is a superstar. I don't see that happening next year, and by that time, it'll be too late. I've read hundreds of quotes from Garnett that declare his bold dedication to the state of Minnesota and that he will stay for his career. Recently, Garnett's been silent.
Trade rumors own radio waves in the Twin Cities, some even talking about bringing in Amare Stoudemire. The best case scenario for Minnesota is that Boston wants to give up Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and the 5th pick. If the T'Puppies have two top 10 picks in one of the deepest drafts ever - Garnett's 1 MVP and 1 Western Conference Finals will be an afterthought.
The latest mock drafts have the most outstanding player in the Final Four going somewhere between 6th-9th overall. Corey Brewer finds himself in the same group as Jeff Green, Joakim Noah, Mike Conley and Julian Wright. The Bucks and Wolves have both expressed interest in selecting Brewer. During a work-out in Minneapolis Brewer recalled that he hasn't ever lost in Minnesota and also brought to mind his Elite 8 win over Randy Foye's Villanova team (I was there). Brewer said, "I wouldn't mind being up [in Minnesota] with KG and Foye and those guys. But we won't know until June 28."
Most people think that the Wolves will have the 5th overall pick and no Garnett on draft night. As Bill Simmons writes, "If I were running Minnesota, I'd grab Jefferson, Green and the No. 5 for KG in a cocaine heartbeat." - I've never had a cocaine heartbeat, but I imagine it is fast and I couldn't agree more.
The Timberwolves could end up taking home Mike Conley or Yi Jialian at 5th and then Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, Joakim Noah or Spencer Hawes at 7th. I haven't the slightest clue why, but rumors are that McHale likes Hawes. Don't question McHale, he's the #1 GM in Sports according to some terrible magazine. As a Wolves fan, it wouldn't surprise me if I saw Hawes get called 7th. He'll turn out to be the worst pick in the top 10. Just to recall some of the past T'Wolves first round picks: 1997 - Paul Grant, 1998 - Radoslav Nesterovic, 1999 - William Avery, 2003 - Ndudi Ebi.
The top 2 are decided, but beyond that it's a mystery. I think the Wolves should avoid trying to fill the void for a big man at 7th overall, unless Yi is available. They should go with either Brewer or Green to form a solid young core along with Foye and McCants. FoxSports.com and Sportsline.com show mock drafts that have Timberwolves picking Brandan Wright - that would be the best day in Wolves draft history. DraftExpress and CollegeHoops.net have the Wolves taking Hawes, which could turn out to be another name to add to the list of poor draft choices. Kevin McHale and the Timberwolves will be busy during this final week before the NBA Draft.
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