After Griffin goes No. 1, Draft turns into game of dominoes

NEW YORK -- Everyone knows who is going No. 1. After the Los Angeles Clippers snag Blake Griffin off the board, it gets dicey.

Better yet, it's a game of dominoes.

Memphis can tip the 2009 Draft in any number of directions once general manager Chris Wallace decides what to do with the No. 2 pick. Should the Grizzlies decide to keep the pick -- hardly a given at this point -- do they take a point guard (Ricky Rubio) who doesn't want to play there or a center (Hasheem Thabeet) that could be a reach?

But the intrigue doesn't end with the second selection. The maneuvering that takes place Thursday night will be analyzed for seasons to come, as the fortunes of teams often hinge on what is done or not done during those two rounds.

Minnesota began the week with three first-round picks (Nos. 6, 18 and 28) and added No. 5 to the coffers in a Tuesday trade with Washington. The Timberwolves, looking to build around Al Jefferson, are getting their ducks in a row to make a major move. The second choice is possibly Minnesota's target.

"I would be really surprised if Minnesota kept all those picks," a Western Conference general manager said.

Minnesota general manager David Kahn admitted Wednesday that he's had discussions with Memphis and when the subject of Rubio came up during a press conference to discuss the Washington trade, he thought the Spanish point guard would end up being a "very good player."

As for any deals in the works, Kahn remained vague.

"It's not that we have dismissed or agreed to anything," he said. "Right now we have all this stuff on the table, and we need to now put all this stuff on the table and figure out what would be the best combination of stuff to do. We may not even figure some of this stuff out until the Draft.

"I felt that it was important to do this trade first because I wanted it to kind of sit out there a bit so people kind of absorbed it and maybe would increase our options based on what people thought the extra pick required. So that remains to be seen too."

Dallas owner Mark Cuban recently said that this time of year is often lots of talk and no action. Well Mark, the action is heating up. The Mavericks fiercest rival beefed up its ranks when San Antonio added Richard Jefferson in a three-team deal with Milwaukee and Detroit.

The Bucks' salary dump of Jefferson likely won't be the last in these tough economic times. Cash-strapped teams, especially non-contenders, are looking to move large contracts and, in many cases, picks. Several of the clubs in the lottery are rumored to be dealing, but the activity doesn't end at the top end of the Draft.

"The teams from 24-29 are shopping their picks," the GM said. "They want to move up, move down, sell or package."

Portland sent its 24th selection, plus second rounders this year and next, to the Mavericks just to move up two spots to No. 22. The Blazers did have four second-round choices and apparently have someone targeted a couple of places before their original choice.

The general consensus in the weeks leading to the Draft pegged Rubio as second-best talent behind Griffin. The 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to Pistol Pete Maravich for his flash, but the European phenom is also universally praised for his fundamentals, court vision and ability to run a team.

Sounds like a can't-miss talent ... unless the Grizzlies are taking the swing. The word is out that Rubio and agent Dan Fegan want no part of Memphis. Nothing personal, they say, it's just that Rubio won't be showcased in a backcourt that already has Mike Conley at the point and explosive shooting guard O.J. Mayo.

Complicating matters is Rubio's sizable multimillion dollar buyout to his Spanish club. That's leverage Fegan can use to scare off the Grizzles and push Rubio into a more desirable situation. But that doesn't mean Rubio automatically goes to Oklahoma City sitting at No. 3. Rubio is trying to negotiate a reduced buyout.

"My agent and I are working on it and in a few days I'm going to get the result," he said Wednesday. "Right now, I don't know. They are working in Spain right now, but I'm only thinking about the Draft and getting the best team that I can get. I don't know how they are right now, but they are closer to an agreement with the team."

As for Memphis, the fallback may or may not be Connecticut's Thabeet. The 7-foot-3 Tanzanian is easily the most sought-after big man in the Draft, but questions abound as to his upside. Though his defensive prowess has scouts drooling -- 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocks -- there are concerns at the other end of the court.

Fluidity doesn't exactly rhyme with Hasheem. He took to basketball late and, in a Draft (and league) devoid of legit centers, his value could be inflated. One front office executive wondered if Thabeet is destined to be the next Mo Sene instead of Dikembe Mutombo. That's not a flattering comparison.

Many league personnel types aren't sure Thabeet is ready to be an impact player, which is what teams expect with the second pick. Passing on a talent who is more NBA-ready than Thabeet could set the Grizzlies back. Considering the uncertain state of the franchise now, adding years to the rebuilding chore will be a tough sell to an already anemic fan base.

And much like Rubio, speculation is Thabeet doesn't want to land in Memphis. He canceled a workout with the Grizzlies, citing a shoulder injury. Some believe the Thunder really want Thabeet with the third pick should Memphis or whichever team eventually chooses second takes Rubio.

And though most of the chatter involves Rubio and Thabeet going second, the high end of the Draft appears solid, even if the order is up in the air. A number of mock drafts list the likes of James Harden, Tyreke Evans, Jordan Hill, Jonny Flynn, Jrue Holiday, DeMar DeRozan, Stephen Curry and Brando Jennings among the first 10 selections.

"The top 10 is pretty straight forward," the West general manager said. "There might be a surprise or two, but after that it gets interesting. And in terms of talent, there really isn't much difference in the 11-20 range."

If you have a question or comment for Art Garcia, send him an e-mail.