Wolves What ifs...

What if the Wolves get the 3rd and 11th pick in this year's draft combined with their own #7 and last year's #7 which is Randy Foye? I project they will have these 4 in their starting lineup:

7-06 PG Randy Foye
7-07 SG Corey Brewer
11-07 SF Julian Wright
3-07 PF Al Horford


What if the Wolves had this set of draft picks in the past? I took a look back to 2000-2001
05-06 Draft Lineup:

3 - SF Adam Morrison
7 - PG Randy Foye
11 - SG JJ Redick
7* - PF Charlie Villanueva

Three ball hogs and a big man. I can't say I like this nucleus, too small, too selfish, and Redick and Morrison look like busts. For each group I'm giving a total of avg points scored and total average rebounds or assists (whichever is greater). This groups totals are low since they are young, but they aren't the lowest in points but are at about half in secondary stats - (41 pts - 13 R/A)

04-05 Lineup
3 - PG Deron Williams
7 - PF Charlie Villanueva
11 - C Fran Vazquez
*7 - SF Luol Deng

Except for Fran, this is a pretty good nucleus. They come in with a 47 pt - 22 R/A. Still about one player away from greatness.

03-04 Lineup
3 - SG Ben Gordon
7 - SF Luol Deng
11 - PF Andris Biedrins
*7 - PG Kirk Hinrich

Ladies and gentlemen, the Chicago Bulls! But in real life replace Biedrins with Ty Thomas and add Ben Wallace. These 4 come in at at 68 pts and 24 R/A

02-03 Lineup
3 - SF Carmello Anthony!
7 - PG Kirk Hinrich
11 - SG Mikael Pietrous
7* - PF Nene Hilario

Now it's the Denver Nuggets, with help. This group has the highest scoring at 69 pts and 24 R/A. This group is a little small, but add a decent big man and they would compete for titles.


01-02 Lineup
3 - SF Mike Dunleavy
7 - PF Nene Hilario
11 - SF Jared Jeffries
7* - C Eddie Griffen

This is the saddest group of them all with 36 pts and 22 R/A. Nene is the only one who doesn't belong on the bench.

00-01 Lineup
3 - C Pau Gasol
7 - C Eddie Griffen
11 - PG Kedrick Bell
7* - C Chirs Mihm

Even though this is clearly the tallest group, the finish 3rd in R/A at 23 and only bring a few more points that the 05-06 class at 43!

The good groups had solid 3's and 7's. Assuming we think Foye is solid, which I do, then it comes down to Horford and Brewer. Are they equal to Gordon and Deng? How about Carmelo and Nene? Gordon and Deng seem the more likely template. However, I believe the 11th pick this year will be like another 7 in any other drafts thanks to the depth created by the rule changes. So I predict the 2007 11 will be better than any other 11 listed.

Clearly if the Wolves get this deal, they will need to find one more piece. It could come in next year's draft if they stay in the top 3 (otherwise they lose the pick), or they could make a secret deal with KG to come back after a year, or they could poach a disgruntled star (Kobe, Pierce, whoever, there's 2 or 3 every year).