The Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, according to a rumor published by Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. An unlikely trade involving the No. 2 pick, Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers, and Wolves Michael Beasley and Ricky Rubio surfaced Thursday; Zgoda has a second-hand quote from Wolves GM David Kahn essentially dismissing it.
NBA Draft Rumors: Timberwolves Shopping No. 2 Pick, Danny Granger Mentioned
Whether Rubio, who still plays in Spain, could be a part of a trade for a veteran player is still up in the air. SB Nation’s Canis Hoopus digs into the question of whether Minnesota can even sign Rubio before the current collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30; it would appear that they can -- and Kahn has mentioned a May 31 deadline to do so -- though there’s some disagreement among those who know the CBA.
Canis Hoopus sees a potential conflict between Kahn’s need to improve the team’s win total next year to keep his job, and the team’s long-term health, which would likely be better with Rubio in the pipeline and the No. 2 pick -- likely Arizona forward Derrick Williams -- on the roster. Interesting times, and Kahn has never been shy about making bold moves.
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