TWolves Host Final Draft Workouts

Shapecity · Jun 23, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—The Minnesota Timberwolves are done looking at draft prospects, so let the wheeling, dealing and subterfuge begin.

The Timberwolves hold the sixth, 18th and 28th selections in the first round of Thursday’s NBA draft. That gives them plenty of ammunition to try and move up if they think it is worth it.

After watching a group that included North Carolina forward Wayne Ellington complete a rigorous workout on Tuesday, new team president David Kahn said he was preparing for a “very intense” 48 hours leading up to the draft.

“I would say for us, because of the three picks, it’s probably a little bit more ratcheted up,” Kahn said. “And also because our picks are in different areas of the draft, they kind of draw different types of interest. So it’s been very intense.”

Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet, Spanish guard Ricky Rubio and Davidson guard Stephen Curry were among the few top-flight prospects who did not visit Minnesota. Kahn spoke to both Curry and Thabeet at the combine in Chicago and played it coy when asked of his contact with Rubio, but said not seeing them at Target Center would not factor into his decisions on draft day.

Kahn on Tuesday openly praised Thabeet, the 7-foot-3 Husky who could give the team a sorely needed defensive presence next to Al Jefferson(notes) and Kevin Love(notes) up front.

“You could say that would complete our front line if we had somebody of that size and rim-protecting capability,” Kahn said. “You could actually make an argument, and I’m not making that for me right now, but somebody could make that argument, that he would be the perfect fit.”

Smoke screen? Difficult to say, given that the Timberwolves have been searching for a formidable presence practically since they entered the league in 1989. Thabeet averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocks and was co-Big East player of the year.

“I don’t think he will be a bust,” Kahn said of Thabeet. “Very skilled athlete. Only played basketball for seven years. Demonstrated at Connecticut that he got better with every season. I think he has a very bright future.”

But the Wolves, who finished 24-58 last season, have plenty of holes to fill. The team also needs a quality starting point guard, of which there are believed to be many in this draft, and an athletic wing who can get to the basket and defend on the perimeter.

Though he is more likely a candidate for one of their picks at the bottom of the draft, Ellington shot the ball well during his workout on Tuesday and showed that he could be a nice outside complement to Jefferson down low.

“I think I could fit in here,” Ellington said. “Hopefully they’ll take me under consideration.”

Minnesota also hosted Kansas State forward Darren Kent, Washington State center Aron Baynes and guard Sergey Glady of the Ukraine.

If the Timberwolves do want to go big with Thabeet, they will probably have to trade up from No. 6 to get him. Kahn also has several expiring contracts to use as trade bait, but he would not put a probability on making a trade by Thursday.

“Frankly, most of the calls that we’ve had that have come in, the offers that have been made, haven’t really been things that are in our wheelhouse,” he said.
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Source: Yahoo Sports

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TWolves Host Final Draft Workouts

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TWolves Host Final Draft Workouts

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