2011 NBA Draft Review
Kahn gets an attaboy for this draft. Or a B+ depending on how you want to put it. He may be James Brown of GM's at this draft. So lets break it down.
2. Derrick Williams A+
The T-Wolves had three choices with this pick. 1. draft Williams who along with Randolph, Love, and Beasley creates an insane four man logjam at the 3-4; 2. Trade the pick probably not for equal value since A. trading back in an already weak draft that doesn't have shooting guards or centers is a bad idea, and B. everyone knows you are trying to avoid a logjam; 3. Draft Kanter who is a less skilled version of Al Jefferson and by teaming him with Love destroying your interior defense for years to come.
So yeah its the right pick. Kahn worked the phones like a madman to find a good trade, and probably had the best discussions with the Lakers (they offered Odom/70cents, and we wanted Bynum/90cents). The result is that in the next year the Wolves will trade one of the four in their logjam and I would put money on Beasley and/or Randolph.
20. Trade the pick, Flynn for future stuff, 2nd rounders, and Brad Miller B
Its real clear that Kahn decided that the T-Wolves did not need more young players tying up roster spots that vets could take. More of the reasoning on Flynn can be found in his podcast with the Sports Guy on Grantland.com. Kahn is right. Flynn isn't going to play and won't gain in value, so its worthless to keep him. The only move here is to draft a foreigner and stash them for a few years. Unfortunately all the decent foreign prospects were gone since this draft was so damn weak. Miller's a decent vet who will see little time on the Wolves since he is recovering from an injury (contract is insured meaning he doesn't cost money). The future 1st and 2nd rounders are awesome since they are delayed but should have equal or greater value than the 20 pick was originally. Also the subsequent trades made LOTS of cash, which can be used to keep ticket prices down, payoff Rambis, etc.
43. Malcolm Lee B
So its clear that Kahn was looking for a shooting guard, but not a shooting guard/small forward like Martell, Lazar, or Wes. In between 20 and 43 one was taken Marshon Brooks. Marshon is a good player, best called a poor-man's Kobe at the collegiate level (best at iso plays, doesn't pass, some attitude problems, decent defender). So what is Malcolm Lee. He is point guard/shooting guard which is something we don't have the team. He has an awesome wingspan and is a good defender. He is a type of player that the Wolves don't have on their roster. Moreover Kahn had 6 or so chances to draft him and at 43 finally couldn't resist.
57. Tanguy Ngombo F
This pick will probably be nullified as Tanguy may have lied about his age and is not eligible for the draft since he is supposedly 26. Moreover at 26 he would not be a rising young prospect, but a mediocre talent hitting his prime. In the end who cares its the 57th pick, and we were just going to stash him in Europe for a year or two.
2. Derrick Williams A+
The T-Wolves had three choices with this pick. 1. draft Williams who along with Randolph, Love, and Beasley creates an insane four man logjam at the 3-4; 2. Trade the pick probably not for equal value since A. trading back in an already weak draft that doesn't have shooting guards or centers is a bad idea, and B. everyone knows you are trying to avoid a logjam; 3. Draft Kanter who is a less skilled version of Al Jefferson and by teaming him with Love destroying your interior defense for years to come.
So yeah its the right pick. Kahn worked the phones like a madman to find a good trade, and probably had the best discussions with the Lakers (they offered Odom/70cents, and we wanted Bynum/90cents). The result is that in the next year the Wolves will trade one of the four in their logjam and I would put money on Beasley and/or Randolph.
20. Trade the pick, Flynn for future stuff, 2nd rounders, and Brad Miller B
Its real clear that Kahn decided that the T-Wolves did not need more young players tying up roster spots that vets could take. More of the reasoning on Flynn can be found in his podcast with the Sports Guy on Grantland.com. Kahn is right. Flynn isn't going to play and won't gain in value, so its worthless to keep him. The only move here is to draft a foreigner and stash them for a few years. Unfortunately all the decent foreign prospects were gone since this draft was so damn weak. Miller's a decent vet who will see little time on the Wolves since he is recovering from an injury (contract is insured meaning he doesn't cost money). The future 1st and 2nd rounders are awesome since they are delayed but should have equal or greater value than the 20 pick was originally. Also the subsequent trades made LOTS of cash, which can be used to keep ticket prices down, payoff Rambis, etc.
43. Malcolm Lee B
So its clear that Kahn was looking for a shooting guard, but not a shooting guard/small forward like Martell, Lazar, or Wes. In between 20 and 43 one was taken Marshon Brooks. Marshon is a good player, best called a poor-man's Kobe at the collegiate level (best at iso plays, doesn't pass, some attitude problems, decent defender). So what is Malcolm Lee. He is point guard/shooting guard which is something we don't have the team. He has an awesome wingspan and is a good defender. He is a type of player that the Wolves don't have on their roster. Moreover Kahn had 6 or so chances to draft him and at 43 finally couldn't resist.
57. Tanguy Ngombo F
This pick will probably be nullified as Tanguy may have lied about his age and is not eligible for the draft since he is supposedly 26. Moreover at 26 he would not be a rising young prospect, but a mediocre talent hitting his prime. In the end who cares its the 57th pick, and we were just going to stash him in Europe for a year or two.