Rumor: Timberwolves may consider drafting D’Angelo Russell with No. 1 pick, ‘might be willing to move Ricky Rubio’ for t (drafted, win)

[Suburban_Guy]

Bye bye Rubio?

Rumor: Timberwolves may consider drafting D’Angelo Russell with No. 1 pick, ‘might be willing to move Ricky Rubio’ for the right deal | ProBasketballTalk

From Chad Ford of ESPN.com (via HoopsHype):

Karl-Anthony Towns is the No. 1-ranked player on my Big Board. However, virtually all the signals from sources inside the Wolves point to Jahlil Okafor being Flip Saunders’ favorite right now.

That obviously can change as we get closer to the draft. Workouts and interviews and lobbying from staff (I hear most of the rest of the staff favors Towns) could push Towns back atop.

And do not totally discount D’Angelo Russell here either. I am told Saunders is also a big fan and might be willing to move Ricky Rubio for the right deal.

[wutitiz]

Ricky Rubio has been in the league 4 years now and shoots a pretty consistent 36 percent. Unlike some others, he doesn't make up for it by excelling at the 3 point shot. He is an good passer, but no team with a starter shooting 36 pct. is ever going to win the title.

[eddiehaskell]

PG - Russell 19 yo
SG - LaVine 20 yo
SF - Wiggins 20 yo / Muhammad 22 yo
PF - Bennett 22 yo
C - Okafor/Towns 19 yo/Pekovic 29 yo / Dieng 25 yo

Given some development this team could be severely stacked in 2 years with their starting 5 all 24 or younger. Potential dynasty.

[justtitans]

I think this is smoke and that they are trying to see if the 76ers will bite and try to move up.

[llowllevellowll]

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

PG - Russell 19 yo
SG - LaVine 20 yo
SF - Wiggins 20 yo / Muhammad 22 yo
PF - Bennett 22 yo
C - Okafor/Towns 19 yo/Pekovic 29 yo / Dieng 25 yo

Given some development this team could be severely stacked in 2 years with their starting 5 all 24 or younger. Potential dynasty.

It isn't possible for them to draft both Russell and Okafor/Towns so you'll need to edit your impossible starting lineup.

[eddiehaskell]

Originally Posted by llowllevellowll

It isn't possible for them to draft both Russell and Okafor/Towns so you'll need to edit your impossible starting lineup.

I was thinking they already had the #1 pick and they want to trade Rubio to whatever team selects Russell?

[llowllevellowll]

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

I was thinking they already had the #1 pick and they want to trade Rubio to whatever team selects Russell?

They'd draft a new PG and trade Rubio for who knows what. No way anyone gives up that high of a pick for Rubio. It'd probably be some decent pieces but nothing more than that.

Minnesota is the best example of a front office with absolutely no clue what's going on. I'll never forget when they drafted 3 PGs in the first round in one year - Rubio, Flynn, and Lawson. They then traded the only one of the 3 (Lawson) who is worth a damn.

They passed on Steph Curry to do it, too.

They're hilarious.

[eddiehaskell]

I wonder if they have any other players to package with him...lets say Rubio/Muhammad/Kevin Martin plus a future pick.

Either way they could be stacked if what they have continues to improve. A lineup of Rubio, LaVine, Wiggins, Bennett, Okafor, Muhammad, and Dieng would be fun to watch.