2015 NBA Draft

[Gil Dobie]

Looks like all the media outlets are saying the Minnesota Timberwolves will be drafting Towns with the first pick. Lots of rumors about the Lakers, from trades to picks.

[Laker]

A couple of days ago there were rumors of the T-Wolves trading Anthony Bennett.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2503242-anthony-bennett-trade-rumors-latest-buzz-speculation-surrounding-t-wolves-pf

[Professor Chaos]

Excitement for the Wolves should be as high as it's been since the Marbury/Garnett days this season (which isn't saying a whole lot) with a great young nucleus anchored by Wiggins and Towns. I had heard a rumor on MSP talk radio that the Knicks were interested in trading for Ricky Rubio and the T-Wolves were in talks with them about nabbing the #4 pick as part of that. No idea whether there was any substance to that or if they were just filling time in their radio show but if the Wolves could pull that off and get D'angelo Russell to go along with Wiggins and Towns, what a team that could be in a few years.

Alas, like most NBA small markets once those guys finish their rookie deals they'll be off to NY/LA/MIA.

[Gil Dobie]

Excitement for the Wolves should be as high as it's been since the Marbury/Garnett days this season (which isn't saying a whole lot) with a great young nucleus anchored by Wiggins and Towns. I had heard a rumor on MSP talk radio that the Knicks were interested in trading for Ricky Rubio and the T-Wolves were in talks with them about nabbing the #4 pick as part of that. No idea whether there was any substance to that or if they were just filling time in their radio show but if the Wolves could pull that off and get D'angelo Russell to go along with Wiggins and Towns, what a team that could be in a few years.

Alas, like most NBA small markets once those guys finish their rookie deals they'll be off to NY/LA/MIA.

Taylor did step up to the plate with Garnett and paid him some monster dollars at the time. Garnett may return the favor and work with Towns and become part owner some day.

Russell would give them a great core, and don't forget Lavine and Muhammad. If not Russell, what if Okafor is available at #4? You would think the Knicks would keep the pick then.

[Professor Chaos]

Taylor did step up to the plate with Garnett and paid him some monster dollars at the time. Garnett may return the favor and work with Towns and become part owner some day.

Russell would give them a great core, and don't forget Lavine and Muhammad. If not Russell, what if Okafor is available at #4? You would think the Knicks would keep the pick then.
Maybe it's just my unnatural dislike for everything related to Duke basketball but I just get the feeling that Okafor is destined to be the next Greg Oden. His body just seems to move like he's 10 years older than he really is and I think NBA style basketball will take it's toll on him.

[clenz]

Excitement for the Wolves should be as high as it's been since the Marbury/Garnett days this season (which isn't saying a whole lot) with a great young nucleus anchored by Wiggins and Towns. I had heard a rumor on MSP talk radio that the Knicks were interested in trading for Ricky Rubio and the T-Wolves were in talks with them about nabbing the #4 pick as part of that. No idea whether there was any substance to that or if they were just filling time in their radio show but if the Wolves could pull that off and get D'angelo Russell to go along with Wiggins and Towns, what a team that could be in a few years.

Alas, like most NBA small markets once those guys finish their rookie deals they'll be off to NY/LA/MIA.
This would be almost on par with trading Love for Wiggins if they can unload Rubio for the #4 pick. I have a strong feeling the Wolves are going to get a second top 4-6 pick yet this draft because they have the pieces to make it happen.

A core of Wiggins, Kaaaaarrrrllll, Lavine, Muhammad, and Russell would be killer. Get Peck to stay healthy and just enjoy.

Speaking of Love...what a buffoon. I hope he can find another 20-30 win team to put major numbers up and look great while avoiding any real pressure. He's exactly like Dwight Howard a couple years ago.

[clenz]

If there isnt a move made for Russell is a move made for Minnesota native Tyus Jones?

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[Gil Dobie]

If there isnt a move made for Russell is a move made for Minnesota native Tyus Jones?

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Been hearing that one for a long time. Flip attended several Apple Valley(MN) games when Tyus was playing. Also Rashad Vaughn from Minneapolis(UNLV) could get drafted by the Wolves.

[clenz]

Been hearing that one for a long time. Flip attended several Apple Valley(MN) games when Tyus was playing. Also Rashad Vaughn from Minneapolis(UNLV) could get drafted by the Wolves.
Where is Jones going to go though? Seems like low enough that a major trade isn't needed but more than Minnesota would be willing to give up for a pick in that area.

That would be the only way to draft a guard and keep Rubio though

[clenz]

No matter what happens with trades Bennetts contract needs to go. Its like 8mil a year for the next 3 years for a guy who can't play

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[Gil Dobie]

Where is Jones going to go though? Seems like low enough that a major trade isn't needed but more than Minnesota would be willing to give up for a pick in that area.

That would be the only way to draft a guard and keep Rubio though

Most mock drafts have Jones going to Houston.

[clenz]

Lakers appear to have traded the #2 pick (Okafor) to Portland to Aldridge...but other reports have them taking and keeping Russell..

It's going to be a long day

[Gil Dobie]

Jerry Zgoda, the Stribs T-Wolves beat writer is having a live chat at noon (CST)

S (http://live.startribune.com/Event/Timberwolves_Live_Chat_with_Jerry_Zgoda_at_noon_Th ursday)trib Link (http://live.startribune.com/Event/Timberwolves_Live_Chat_with_Jerry_Zgoda_at_noon_Th ursday)

[clenz]

While Anthony Bennett is looking his third team in three years in the face, Luke Ridnour is on his 4th team in 24 hours.




http://deadspin.com/luke-ridnour-was-probably-traded-again-in-the-time-it-t-1713916534utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Before yesterday, I wouldn’t have known where Luke Ridnour played last season. My best guess would have been, “Is he still in Minnesota?” The guard was actually with the Magic, until he was traded to the Grizzlies Wednesday, but his journey didn’t end there. Ridnour got shipped around two more times today.The progression:


The Orlando Magic has agreed to trade guard Luke Ridnour to the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
June 24, 2015 (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/613728199697125376)



Memphis has agreed to trade Luke Ridnour to Charlotte for Matt Barnes, league sources tell Yahoo.
June 25, 2015 (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/614067940250525697)



Oklahoma City has traded Jeremy Lamb to Charlotte for Luke Ridnour and a 2016 second-round pick, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
June 25, 2015 (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/614109043804798976)


Orlando to Memphis to Charlotte to Oklahoma City. Is this it, or can Ridnour top Quentin Richardson’s 2009 offseason (Knicks to Grizzlies to Clippers to Timberwolves to Heat)? There’s still plenty of time to bang out two more trades, especially with tonight’s draft.

[Gil Dobie]

Zgoda feels the Wolves will try and trade up to get Jones, try and move Bennett and/or Budinger, and possible 2nd round picks. Rubio only get traded if Mudaiy or Russell are available.

[clenz]

Is Bennett, 31 and 36 enough to get to 15-19?

[Gil Dobie]

Is Bennett, 31 and 36 enough to get to 15-19?

Houston needs cap room, send Terrence Jones salary to the Wolves, who hold a couple exceptions, might do it for them.

[clenz]

Houston needs cap room, send Terrence Jones salary to the Wolves, who hold a couple exceptions, might do it for them.
Bennett isn't clearing cap space for anyone who takes them.

Jones is owed 6mil over the next two years total
Bennett is owed that this coming season alone and it balloons to over 7 next year and 9 the year after

I don't understand how the NBA cap works. It makes deals so confusing for the average person to understand.

Something like any returning contract from a given up contract still has to be within 10-15% of the dumped contract, or something like that.

[AshevilleApp2]

Hornets pass on Justise Winslow and take Frank Kaminsky.

[Gil Dobie]

Wolves get Towns with the #1. Jones with #31 & 36 plus 2nd rounder in 2019, from what I have read.

[clenz]

Wolves fleeced Cleveland on yet another trade.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

The Knicks take a 19 year old undersized project from Latvia with the 4th pick.

Somehow I think Isiah Thomas is involved.

[clenz]

The Knicks take a 19 year old undersized project from Latvia with the 4th pick.

Somehow I think Isiah Thomas is involved.
Stephen A Smith had a typic SAS outburst on twitter last night.

I have a feeling if they'd taken the exact same player but he was black he would have loved it.

[tribe_pride]

Celtics take W&M alum Marcus Thornton with the 45th pick. Tribe become 1 of 21 schools to have someone drafted in both the 2015 NFL and NBA drafts.

The list is Kentucky, Duke, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Arizona, Wisconsin, Texas, Kansas, Louisville, Utah, UVa, UCLA, Stanford, Boston College, Oregon, Iowa, Michigan State, Wyoming, Arkansas, Eastern Washington and William & Mary.

Also had someone in the MLB draft but with 40 rounds, I am not sure that the list of 21 drops down much from there. Can guarantee we will not have anyone in the NHL draft that starts tonight though.

(Edit: List was put together quickly by random W&M poster so may be off by a team or 2 but that is what he saw when he looked)

[clenz]

The fact that UNI's Seth Tuttle wasn't drafted is a ****ing joke and shows how jacked up the NBA draft is.

All-American but can't get drafted...WAFJ.

[clenz]

While Anthony Bennett is looking his third team in three years in the face, Luke Ridnour is on his 4th team in 24 hours.
Ridnour was just traded again.

OKC to Toronto

[clenz]

Bucks on the move?
T'Wolves finally to the east?


http://www.si.com/nba/2015/07/06/milwaukee-bucks-relocation-seattle-las-vegas-arena-funding
Milwaukee Bucks president Peter Feigin said Monday that the NBA could buy the franchise and relocate it if Wisconsin's state legislature does not approve public funding for a new arena in Milwaukee.


Addressing the legislature's finance committee at an informal hearing, Feigin warned that the NBA could purchase the team and move it “Las Vegas or Seattle,” according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.


The Bucks hope to begin construction on their new arena this year but are waiting for the state to approve $250 million in public funds. Construction needs to begin by October or November to prevent the NBA from beginning a search for new owners, Feigin said.


The Bucks' lease at their current arena expires in 2017 and the NBA does not want the team to extend it, Feigin said.


The arena is expected to cost $500 million to build, with Bucks ownership contributing $150 million. Former Bucks owner Herb Kohl, an ex-United States senator, will pay $100 million. The remaining $250 million will be publicly funded, including up to $220 million potentially coming from the so-called “jock tax.”


Because of its aging arena and small market, Milwaukee has long been rumored as a franchise that could be relocated. When the team was sold last April, new owners Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry vowed to keep the team in Milwaukee.


Memphis would be the hold up on the T'Wolves moving east