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Rumors point to Rubio, Curry, Evans or Bust


Recent entries from last night and today regarding the Wolves

Jan 16 - 7:30 PM

It sounds like the Knicks are coming to grips with the fact that Stephen Curry is unlikely to be there when they pick at No. 8. The Thunder (No. 3), Wizards (No. 5) and Warriors (No. 7) all have interest. But Donnie Walsh's biggest challenge comes from his former protégé, David Kahn in Minnesota, who seems to have focused in on Curry and Tyreke Evans if he can't get Ricky Rubio.

Jan 17

Ricky Rubio is in Sacramento today, trying to make his case why he's the guy the Kings should take with the fourth pick in the draft. Rubio will reportedly engage in a light workout with the team.

This is part of a three-team tour that will include the Oklahoma City Thunder and likely the New York Knicks on Rubio's way to New York for the lottery. It's long been thought that the Kings were Rubio's backstop in the draft if the Memphis Grizzlies and Thunder passed on him. Now Rubio seems to be in a dogfight with two other contenders to be picked at No. 4, Jrue Holiday and Jonny Flynn.

A couple of league sources told me on Thursday that they believe Rubio will emerge as the pick if he's still available, otherwise it's a real toss up between Holiday and Flynn.

Rubio, however, may not be there at No. 4. While it seems clearer that neither the Grizzlies nor the Thunder will select Rubio for themselves, the Minnesota Timberwolves are making a strong play to move up in the draft to get Rubio, according to sources. The Wolves have tried to do it by packaging their three first-round picks (Nos. 6, 18 and 28).

There's also been talk about Minnesota trading Kevin Love to Memphis for the No. 2 pick, a rumor that one source insisted was far-fetched. If that happens, it will have to be a deal that's consummated no earlier than June 28, because the Wolves have to wait a full calendar year to trade Love back to the Grizzlies (Love was traded to Minnesota for O.J. Mayo on the night of the draft last year).

If they don't get the No. 2 pick, sources say the Wolves will their No. 6 pick to select either Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans. Evans seems like the best fit at first glance, but there seems to be a higher comfort level with Curry. We've had both players going to Minnesota in recent mock drafts. Hopefully by the last one we get it right.

I like this reported plan, at I believe it seems that Kahn, Philo, and the rest of the scouts see Rubio as a #1 or #2 type player that they are willing to leverage all their draft assets to acquire him. If not, it sounds like they are starting to believe in the Hoopus prescrption in regards to Curry. Wherever I see the Wolves linked to Tyreke Evans it's that in he's a good fit next to Randy Foye. As Kahn has stated Foye as an expriing contract, and to expect extreme perimeter player roster turnover, I think it may be safe to suggest that Curry will be the pick if both he and Evans are available at #6.

With Memphis having #27 and the Thunder having #25, I don't understand how giving those teams two additional draft choices by packaging #6, #18, and #28 to move up would be attractive. I suppose it's a dollar asset that they could use to sell off the later picks. That being said I am torn whether the value of Rubio is worth giving up 2 additional first round picks. Is Rubio > Curry + Mullens + Euro? Debatable.