Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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President of basketball operations David Kahn addressed the media for the final time before the draft on Thursday night. Kahn clarified the position for his staff heading into an important night with three first round picks. 
David Kahn AudioKahn on whether there was any other prospect he would have liked to see:
“Sure. We had DeRozan scheduled for yesterday and unfortunately he took ill. I have no reason to think it was anything more than that because we worked very hard with the agent to arrange him coming here. I think the agent had every right, and the player, to say no to begin with. Unfortunately the kid took ill.…"
“If you have people come in, it’s always helpful and beneficial. As I’ve said in the past in (Stephen Curry’s) case because we were able to interview him in Chicago, as we were DeRozan by the way, it’s not as important with a kid like that. And even in DeRozan’s case, sure we wanted him to come in, but I don’t think it will cause us to change our feelings about these kids one way or the other.”
Kahn on whether he will use all three picks Thursday:
“Don’t know. Really don’t. there’s a lot of stuff out there and it’s impossible to make a prediction.”
Kahn on what the last couple days have been like:
“Intense, as it always is at this time of year. It’s no different. Although I would say this: I think for us because of the three picks, it’s probably a little more ratcheted up and also because our picks are in different areas of the Draft, they draw different types of interests. It’s been very intense.”
Kahn on the schedule leading up to the Draft:
“We met this morning before the workout as a staff. We may even meet one more time today. I’m certain we’ll meet tomorrow. But we very much need to be talking around the league and be figuring out what the teams above us are doing, if we can determine that, and to keep prodding and poking and make certain we have uncovered all our options.”
Kahn on the unpredictability of this year’s Draft:
“I think that that’s definitely an issue. Now t he question is will it clear itself up in the next 48 hours before the Draft. But as we were just saying, it’s hard right now because there are a lot of different names in different spaces.”
Kahn on whether he is excited for the Draft:
“Sure. If you can’t get excited for this in this job then you shouldn’t be doing this. As you’ve heard me say maybe about coaching, there’s 82 referendums a year. And even though there are opportunities to do things regarding the team, there is no question this is the big night of the year. I would have to be comatose not to be excited about this as I would be every year. It’s the best night of the year for people in our capacity.”
Kahn on Rubio and Thabeet going two and three:
“I don’t think anybody today – and if they can, I would hope you will help me find them – but I don’t think anybody can say today with certitude what will happen at two, three, four and five. And the interesting thing about that, in effect, because Griffin has been tied to one since the night of the lottery, you really have a quasi-No. 1 pick or somebody who has been kind of at the top of the Draft in Memphis. And I don’t think based on everything that we’re hearing that they have made up their minds yet.”
Kahn on whether there are players available late in the Draft who can fit in:
“No question there’s rotation players in the Draft down there. I think the question then becomes what teams are doing vis-à-vis their rotations. Just like that was a lot of our discussion this morning. So I think, yes. And I think there will be, as has been typical in years past, a number of European or overseas players taken late with the understanding that they may not be able to play right away and thus they would not be on a team’s cap next season.”
Kahn on whether Thabeet would fit into a front court with the Wolves:
“Sure. You could say that would complete our front line if you had someone of his size and rim protecting capability. You could make an argument, and I am not making that for me right now, but somebody could make an argument that he could be the perfect fit.”
Kahn on what players he wants to come out of the Draft with:
“I think it’s important for us with the sixth pick that we do pick somebody who is a meaningful player on this team for the future. Remember this could be a 19-, 20-, 21-year-old kid who really hasn’t played much yet and we will need to be patient. In all likelihood, no matter who we take, it might not be immediate. They’ll have to have a trajectory in their career. The other picks, I think the likelihood is you’re not looking so much for a starter if you keep the pick, but you’re looking for a rotation player. Or somebody maybe who you see as: Wow, there’s a lot of something there and if we’re just patient and develop this something the right way that could be something really special in a few years.”
The featured player in Tuesday's session:
Wayne Ellington (Ht. 6-6, Wt. 220) the shooting guard from North Carolina is fresh off a National Championship run where he played a critical role on the perimeter for the Tar Heels. Ellington averaged 15.8 points a game while shooting 41.7 percent from the 3-point line. At 6-5, Ellington owns a quick release and is deadly as a pure shooter. The knock on Ellington is his inability to create offense off the dribble. However, Ellington comes from a top-notch college program and is considered a heady player that could be a very effective sixth man for an NBA squad. Wayne Ellington AudioEllington on how the workout went:
“I think it went really well. It was a pretty competitive workout. It was just four of us so we got to get up and down a little bit and get us breathing. But I think overall it went well.”
Ellington on whether he has a bet with the other Tar Heels:
“Nah, no bet. We’re all just hoping the best the best for each other. It doesn’t really matter as long as we all get there.”
Ellington on if he has any idea where he is going to go:
“Not positive yet. I have a pretty good range – maybe about 15 to 25, around there. I think I’m in a pretty good position .”
Ellington on if he is glad the process is almost over:
“Yeah, it’s pretty tiring. It takes a toll on your body. But at the same time, I try to have fun with it and just work hard and feel like I gave it my all come Thursday.”
Ellington on whether coming out of North Carolina helped him:
“No question. Coming out of Carolina where you have a whole bunch of talented guys around you where they are probably going to be playing in the NBA. It’s a lot easier to transition into the style of play being coached by a coach like Coach Williams, who kind of helps us and kind of programs us for the pro game. I think it’s definitely an advantage.”
Ellington on the Wolves:
“They have a lot of young talented guys. I know a couple of guys on the team. They have the ability to take a step forward and hopefully I can fit in here. I think I had two pretty good workouts here. Hopefully I’m in consideration.”
Ellington on how his game will translate:
“I think I’ll be able to translate pretty well into20the NBA. As a shooter, I will be able to space the floor, add some scoring ability, put the ball on the floor a little bit, create some shots and help spread the floor. Defensively, come in and compete as hard as I can and do whatever the coach asks me.”
Ellington on whether his shot would help the Wolves:
“No question. I think I can spread the floor, help guys penetrate, help the inside presence as well. I think I would definitely help this organization.
Ellington on how today’s workout compared to others:
“This is my 11th one. I think today was pretty much the same as the other ones. They haven’t been too much different from each other. I think they’re all pretty much the same, just competing one-on-one, two-on-two, three-on-three, get up and down and get some shots up and that’s it pretty much.”
Ellington on who impressed him in his workouts:
“I’m not too positive. There’s not one guy who stands out particularly. I think I went up against all the top two guards in the Draft and competed hard. I don’t think there was one guy who stood out too much.”
Ellington on the adjustment of shooting at the NB A 3-point line:
“You know really it’s not too bad. I wasn’t really one of those guys who stood on the line in college. I like to move it back a little bit. It wasn’t too bad of an adjustment at all.”
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