It’s a virtual cinch that the Timberwolves’ first-round draft pick (No. 3 overall) next month will come from among Michael Beasley of Kansas State, O.J. Mayo of Southern California and Brook Lopez of Stanford.
Jefferson is a PF, not a C, so with the third pick one has to think B. Lopez and D. Jordan will enter the conversation, giving Jefferson a running mate and some support on the front lines. Lopez may have the lower ceiling, but he’s a much surer bet and for a GM (McHale) who, without Garnett, finds his seat considerably warmer, safe appears to be the likeliest option.
Bayless and Mayo are the players with the most value here, but with Randy Foye and Rashard McCants already on the team, they seem more apt to go big with their pick.
Sources said Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin and former Minnesota coach
Dwane Casey were scheduled to speak to Paxson again about the job while
attending the predraft camp.