With three first-round picks, Timberwolves have options

The Timberwolves head into the Draft with plenty of questions and a number of holes to fill. The situation isn't ideal for a franchise that's missed the Playoffs the last five years, has a new general manager, hasn't settled its coaching situation and is hoping potential All-Star Al Jefferson recovers from major knee surgery.

The task to turn Minnesota into a contender again appears daunting, but the team isn't without options. The Wolves own three first-round picks, including sixth overall, another two in the second round and gameplan for the next 18 months or so.

New general manager David Kahn, hired in May, understands the need to explore every angle in an attempt to kick start the struggling franchise. It all starts June 25.

"I see this as the first step," said Kahn, a longtime pro basketball insider with NBA and D-League experience. "We'll have free agency this summer. Trades can occur as part of the draft or in free agency, we have the trading deadline next February, next year's draft with two [first-round] picks in all likelihood and free agency next summer.

"This draft is the first opportunity with all the roster flexibility we have to start determining how we can improve this team in short order."

Kahn won't use the draft as a deadline to decide the team's coaching direction. He's met on several occasions with Kevin McHale, who led the Wolves to a 20-43 record last season after being forced out of the front office. Kahn could retain McHale or bring in a new staff.

In either case, it won't impact the team's draft strategy.

"I remember when I was at Indiana for nine years there were at least two occasions where we didn't hire a coach until well after the draft," Kahn said. "One can make an argument, and I'm not playing it this way, but since we have so many picks and might change some things, you figure that out first and then find the coach piece because maybe the personnel will dictate the decision. We are not playing it that way. I assure you. I'm just pointing out that you can look at it a couple different ways."

Most draft projections have the Wolves taking a guard with their first pick. Among those that could be available when their turn comes up: Stephon Curry (Davidson), Jonny Flynn (Syracuse), Tyreke Evans (Memphis), DeMar DeRozan (USC) and Brandon Jennings.

"There are a lot of guards that will go in that 4-10 range," Kahn said. "I would say of those seven picks, I wouldn't be surprised if five or six of them will turn out to be guards."

But the GM isn't tied into taking another body to work into the team's thin backcourt. Minnesota could use a serous infusion of talent to the current crop of guards that include Randy Foye, Mike Miller and Sebastian Telfair. The frontcourt, other than Jefferson, also needs work.

"Other than the power forward spot, we need players at every position," Kahn said. "I don't think the concept of best player available and drafting for need will be mutually exclusive for us this year. We should be able to go both ways."

Kahn added that it's also not necessary to land a ready-made rotation piece at No. 6. The Wolves aren't looking for the quick fix. Players with high ceilings will be given the chance to develop, he said.

"You don't want to take the quick-impact player if you're really turning down the opportunity to take somebody who will truly be special," Kahn explained. "But if the impact player is also fairly skilled, then you have to weight it back and forth.

"Clearly we would love to have someone who can help us fairly soon. We could use the help, but I don't think we would go so far as make a blanket statement that we'll take an impact player."

The Wolves also have the 18th and 28th picks in the first round. Kahn sees value throughout the first round, dismissing the notion that the talent pool is shallow.

"I've heard that, too, but I think that sense is beginning to dissipate a bit as people to see these kids work out," he said. "It's deeper than first met the eye. If this is a weak draft, we sure are hearing from a lot of teams that want to buy one or more of our picks. That doesn't add up if it's such a weak draft. Time will tell how we compare. I look at the board and I think, especially at 18, we're going to get a very good player if we decide to keep 18."

Whatever happens, the Wolves will be busy before, during and after the draft.

"We'll explore everything," Kahn said. "I'm not opposed to trading any or all the picks if the deal is right. I'm not opposed to using all three picks. I'm not opposed to doing a variation of both. Whatever we do, it better be well-thought out and we'll be, I hope, as prepared as anybody to make these kinds decisions. But we're not married either way."

If you have a question or comment for Art Garcia, send him an email.