If the Wolves somehow can get that second pick to add to their own sixth, the players I’d think they’re targeting: Hasheem Thabeet (not Ricky Rubio) and Steph Curry...
* The Wolves basketball staff had a going-away party for Mac Friday night — Kahn wasn’t invited, I don’t think.
Looks like Mac will end up with TNT, probably paired often with Chuck Barkley in the Atlanta studio and perhaps even re-united on some broadcasts with Kevin Harlan, his partner on those wild Wolves broadcasts from long ago.
In the past week, I’ve spoken to two different league sources that have linked Minnesota to the Wizards as a possible trade partner for that No. 5 pick in the draft.
According to one insider, the Timberwolves (who already have the sixth, 18th and 28th picks in the draft) disparately want to move up in order to land UConn big man Hasheem Thabeet. Another report has them badly wanting Rubio. Either way, the T’Wolves are said to be craving Memphis’ No. 2 pick, but believe to land it, they need to offer two top-six picks in the draft. Enter the Wizards.
Minnesota reportedly has been working the phones nonstop and of all the teams in the league they’re talking to, they’ve been in speaking with the Wizards the most. Some of the pieces Minnesota is believed to be offering up are swingman Mike Miller, who has a $9.75 million expiring contract, guard Randy Foye, the expiring contracts of Brian Cardinal ($6.75 million) and Mark Madsen ($3.6 million) and possibly the 18th and/or 28th picks…
Another league source confirmed Minnesota has been haggling to land the Wizards 5th pick, but called it unlikely that the teams would be able to reach an agreement. The source said there is, however, a possibility that Minnesota would be able to work a deal with Oklahoma City to obtain the third pick.
League executives elsewhere speculate Kahn is intent on establishing this team as his own with signature moves on draft night that potentially will exchange three first-round picks, expiring contracts and players already on the roster into two top-six picks, the Wolves’ own sixth and either Washington’s fifth, Oklahoma City’s third or Memphis’ second that could bring Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet or Spanish guard Ricky Rubio to Minnesota…
His straight-shooting opinions — uncommon for an NBA executive — have resonated with season-ticket holders exasperated by the former regime’s status quo, but they have at least one player wondering what the purpose is in alienating the locker room and perhaps diminishing the value of Kahn’s wares to other league executives. So far, Kahn has talked extensively only with Jefferson. Owner Glen Taylor met with Kahn on Friday and likely encouraged him to communicate better with his players.
Despite his disastrous decade and a half in Minnesota, coach Kevin McHale is leaving behind a team that has a chance to make a strong playoff run next season.
Two-time former head NBA coach Eric Musselman, a former Timberwolves assistant, would seem to be a logical assistant choice to provide experience if the Wolves end up hiring inexperienced former Pacers and Knicks guard Mark Jackson as head coach.
The unfortunate part about the move is that he was good at the job. His players responded, and true to the mold of being a former player, McHale let them be human.
That’s a rare quality even among players-turned-coaches these days.
