Each year around draft time, I McHale it. I head deep into the Canadian wilderness for five days, away from any form of communication, employment/female obligations, or NBA news. Nothing but a fishing pole and my thoughts. I even drive through Hibbing, Minnesota en route, home of McHale.  It is very bittersweet because I often miss out on draft day and the buzz surrounding it, but I make due. However, this year I will be in town for the draft for the 2nd time in about six years, and in turn it should be a pretty exciting day for the Wolves. While I was up north I pondered what I might etch out upon my return and came up with the following. And while the myriad of trade rumors that have materialized are perhaps making some of this irrelevant, I am going forth.

It seems that no matter what happens, the Wolves will trade the #2 selection. I can't say I disagree with this, for the right package, but there are several negative implications that may present themselves with such a move. Or any move, really, which is why so many seem to have come to the conclusion that having the #2 pick is actually a bit of, dare I say it, a bit of a negative. Any follower of our forum discussions can easily see the direction this team should go in is surprisingly split, with opinions oscillating by the hour (myself included). So what direction should we go in? Does any direction present a clear-cut, obvious solution, especially in lieu of a new CBA with heavier cap restrictions? Not really. Below I will outline three directions the Wolves could go on Thursday, and why each scenario may present its own individual challenges.

Going into this, it bears mentioning the value of the #2 selection as an asset, but also the player attached to it. Too often it seems we fall into this idea that the mystique and allure of a pick number must mean great things, or that it is worth more than present rotation players. But in reality, few draft picks succeed to the level the Wolves need to get over the hump. Many #2 overall picks flop, while many #10 picks prosper. It is all a crap shoot. With that said, what is our best chance to a) upgrade this roster and start winning games and b) maximize the value of the #2 overall selection in a draft, an asset The Wolves have never had?

1. Keep the Pick and Select Derrick Williams

Click read more to see the rest of the scenarios

We've got a special update today all about my new crush, Senior Rubio.  First off, Ricky's introductory press conference was at Target Center this morning.  I attended it, which was pretty fanastic and awe-inducing (he looks even sexier in real life than he does in photos.)  He was so funny, charming, and just darn likeable.  Plus how can you not love the accent and broken English?  Sorry, but I was eating it up.  Ricky is already turning me into a 14 year old girl.  ZOMG I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM PLAY FOR US NEXT SEASON!!!!!!!1

I had even done real journalistic stuff, like take notes and crap like that, but then I found the entire Rubio press conference on Youtube.  So I'll just post that below the fold, rather than attempt to decipher what I passed off as notes.  I will say, pay attention to the questions from Senile Sid Hartman.  My goodness, someone just needs to put him out of his misery.  First, Sid asked why his stats were so bad last season in Europe, and with that in mind, what makes Ricky any good?  Fail.  Ricky's response to that is just classic.

Sid followed it up later with this gem: "The hot rumor is you're gonna trade this guy and the #2 overall draft pick for 'Gah-sole' from LA?"  My goodness Sid, really?  The Kahnman then adamently denies any possible Rubio trade EVER (obviously not, after waiting this long... and DURING Ricky's press conference), at which point Ricky chimes in with a quiet "Thanks."  That cracked everyone up.  Myself included. 

While introducing his family: "And my pretty sister... she doesn't have a boyfriend."  More laughs all-around.  What a swell guy.  SO WITTY.

So like I said, below the fold we've got all the videos for his press conference, some pictures of Ricky in a TWolves uniform for the first time, and a special guest article titled "Rubio Brings Strength to a Dysfuncational Family" from valued TWolves Blog Forum Member "YWG"; also known as Matt Dahlseid from 'Sota Sports.

Please click "Read More" for all the Ricky Rubio mania that you can handle...

Behind that man patting himself vigorously on the back is the one and only Ricky Rubio. You'd think Paul McCartney was getting off that plane if it wasn't all guys cheering.  Thanks to everyone who showed up for this. It is great that the Wolves fans represented. 

There were three big steps Minnesota needed to make to start heading out of obscuritytown this offseason…

1. Sign Rubio. Complete!

2. Draft Derrick Williams. Pending.

3. Deal Beasley and get a real center OR an upgrade at shooting guard. Long way off…

I think the team is still pretty in love with Wes Johnson's potential, and adding Derrick Williams necessitates sending Beasley away. Darko proved he's a capable backup, but pretty awful as a starter, so common sense tells me that's our next move. Either sign a center, or trade for one. If we sign one, the obvious move is to pair Beas with something to get Demar DeRozan.

Of the potential Center options, these seemed like the best to me:

Unrestricted FAs:

Samuel Dalembert - The main problem with trying to acquire Dalembert is that the Wolves probably don't have the cap room to get it done. Looks like Minnesota will have around $50 million in salary when it's all said and done (draft + Rubio), and it's possible Sammy D could get more elsewhere. The Salary Cap is supposed to be around $58 million, but it could all change when the new CBA is in place. I've always been a fan of his rebounding/shot-blocking, and it would fit in nicely here. He's just better at it than Darko. Plus, ATHLETICISM!

ESPN.com is currently running a headline that Ricky Rubio may not be heading to Minnesota after all. 

If you actually read the article, you'll see that it's nothing more than pure unfounded speculation that is being drummed up by the Worldwide Leader in order to create some off-season NBA buzz after their very own posterboys, the Miami Heat, went down in flames.  Clearly "We are talking to Barcelona and we will soon see" is synonymous with "I will not play for the Minnesota Timberwolves".  Ricky's other quote, that he was "very happy" that his team won the Spanish League Title, also indicates that he has no intention of coming to the NBA this season.  If you click on the Sports Nation poll located on that page, you'll also see that 59% of the masses believe that Rubio will be playing for Barcelona next season after hearing about these hard-hitting quotes. 

Personally, I tend to believe the reports that came out a few weeks back that Rubio had already inked a deal with the Wolves and was just respectfully waiting for his team's season to end before making an announcment.  Those reports aligned perfectly with both logic and the NBA collective bargaining agreement. The fact that he didn't don his T-Wolves jersey the second after the final buzzer sounded is no cause for concern.  Let's all give Ricky a little time to enjoy his team's championship and soak it all in before he makes his big announcement.  If we haven't heard something by this time next week, then it's time to hit the panic button. 

In all seriousness, the Timberwolves simply cannot afford the massive backlash that would come from Ricky remaining in Spain, especially after those reports of him coming leaked out.  If the Wolves had any indication that Rubio may not play for the team, they would have vehemently denied those reports instead of giving the very transparent "no comment" response.  To do otherwise would have been setting the scene for a PR nightmare that would undoubtedly upstage LeBron's "go back to their lives" comment as the biggest gaffe this summer. David Kahn may have made some questionable moves and said some dumb things in the past, but there's no way he's stupid enough to let the Ricky Rubio novela play out that way.

...Right?

Draft Prospects Enes Kanter and Derrick Williams Featured in Workouts for Timberwolves Thursday at Target Center

What:  The Minnesota Timberwolves will host workouts for potential draft picks at the Life Time Fitness Training Center in Target Center on Thursday, June 16.

Who:  Timberwolves assistant general manager Tony Ronzone, along with draft prospects Enes Kanter, Derrick Williams and others, will be available to the media.

When:  Thursday, June 16

10:00 a.m. media availability:

Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky/Turkey
Keith Benson, C, Oakland
Alec Burks, G, Colorado
Malcolm Delaney, G, Virginia Tech
Isaiah Thomas, G, Washington

 
2:30 p.m. media availability:

Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
Jamar Diggs, G, Wofford
Anthony Moody, G, Univ. of Mary
Tai Wesley, F, Utah State

 
Where:  Life Time Fitness Training Center - Target Center

Info:
· All workouts are closed. Media will only be allowed in at the conclusion of the workouts.
· Draft prospects will only be available during media access periods following their workouts. The players will have other obligations following their workouts and will not be available for radio call-ins or off-site interviews.

Congrats on beating the Miami cHeat, you guys deserved it!

Corey Brewer and Brian The Custodian Cardinal... all they do is win championships.

One of the favorite past times of any basketball junkie who roots for a bad team, is scheming up deals to trade his garbage for other team's treasure.  Over the past several years, seeing this done on our TWB Forums has been pretty depressing.  (Do you think we could swing Sebastian Telfair for Rudy Fernandez? Really???) Anyway, with Senor Rubio on his way, K. Love in the fold, and the #2 pick on the horizon, things have gotten much brighter for the T-Wolves.  (At least until Kahn drafts four centers this June.)  With that in mind, forum regular, Roundhouse, has come up with The Ultimate Dream Trade Challenge.  I won't go into the nitty-gritty here on the front page, but basically we're pitting dream trade scenarios against each other and then letting the people vote on which deal they'd rather see the Wolves make. 

It's pretty cool, extremely sports-nerdy, and actually quite a bit of fun.  Check it out here in the forums!

As has been speculated in recent days, David Kahn has apparently pulled it off: Ricky Rubio has agreed to join the Minnesota Timberwolves next season! Hats off to Kahn for this one. 

Lot's more thoughts coming on this soon....

As reported by Adrian W, the man often made fun of but the man who also never fails to break a Wolves-related story.

Barriero was also involved. 

As was the ever excellent JON KRAWCZYNSKI,  (yes I copied ans pasted that) who, along with Adrian Wojnairjegrtiwe make crediting sources immensely difficult. 

Welcome Ricky!!!! (if true, of course)

Rumors are swirling that the Wolves, Cavs, and Pistons are mulling over a potential three-team deal that would send Minnesota's #2 pick to Cleveland for picks #4 and #8.   Basically, Detroit would part with their #8 selection in order to unload Rip Hamilton's contract onto Cleveland who owns a massive trade exception.  The Cavs would then package their own #4 and Detroit's #8 to the Wolves in exchange for #2. 

Assuming that the Cavaliers intend on taking Derrick Williams with the #2 pick, this trade could be a potential no-brainer.  Either Enes Kanter or Brandon Knight would be a better fit for the Wolves than Williams.  If Irving and Williams go with the first two picks, the Wolves are still assured that Kanter or Knight will be there at the #4 spot.  The real question then becomes how much they value Kanter over Knight, or vice versa, as they'll be stuck with whomever Utah doesn't pick.  If they see a big difference between the two players, it might be wiser to hold onto the pick and just select the one they prefer, as the #8 pick this is unlikely to yield an impact player.

Another plus to this trade is that it gives the Wolves two Top 10 picks to use to swing a trade for a veteran.  I know that we've been drooling in the forums over potential trades for both Andre Iguodala and Rudy Gay.  Having two first-rounders could give the Wolves the ammunition necessary to pull those deals off.  It could also open the door to push one or both of those picks into the 2012 draft, which should be bursting at the seams with talent. 

Really, the only downside here is if the Wolves fall in love with either Kanter or Knight and they end up getting picked by Utah. In my opinion, neither are sure enough bets to turn down the value of this trade for.  The only other hinderance would be if a potential trade partner for a veteran was enamored with Williams and would over-value the opportunity to pick him up at #2. 

The Wolves have time to shop around, but unless the #2 pick is critical for obtaining a proven vet, I think the Kahn Man should pull the trigger on this one.