DraftExpress reports:

Numerous sources with varying ties to Minnesota confirmed to DraftExpress over the past few days that Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale has locked in on UCLA freshman Kevin Love as possibly his favorite prospect in this draft. McHale reportedly likes the skill-level and all-around feel for the game that Love brings to the table, as well as his winning mentality, and sees him as an excellent potential compliment to Al Jefferson in Minnesota’s front-court.

Picking 3rd in this draft, many would consider it a reach to take Love, although numerous advanced statistical formulas have identified him as being the 2nd most productive player in this draft, behind Michael Beasley.

There is already some talk that Minnesota will look to make a trade with Memphis GM Chris Wallace, who would then have the option of fortifying his front-court by drafting Brook Lopez at #3, or swinging for the fences and taking O.J. Mayo. Memphis could offer Minnesota the young prospect of their choice in Kyle Lowry, Hakim Warrick or Javaris Crittenton to help facilitate the deal. Wallace only has two more years left on his contract and needs to make as big a splash as possible in this draft to jump-start Memphis’ rebuilding process, meaning he could be leaning more towards taking Mayo, especially if his team is drafting 5th.

For all we know, this is your average rumor, which usually amounts to a whole lot of nothing. However, this is Kevin McHale and potentially Chris Wallace we’re dealing with here. Anything is possible. Anything.

Simply put, Timberwolves fans should be terrified of this notion. Pairing Al Jefferson with a slow-footed power forward, who may even be smaller than him to begin with, is borderline insane. There are better prospects and fits available, to boot. O.J. Mayo could turn out to be one of those hard-to-find bona fide stars, while seven-foot Brook Lopez is as polished a center prospect you’re going to find in this draft.

As an NBA General Manager, McHale is more than welcome to think a bit outside the box, but his infatuation with “old school” bigs could cripple this franchise’s chances of taking the next step. Kevin Love may very well be a nice player, as he is as fundamentally sound as they come and is blessed with an extremely unique skill set. But passing on a perimeter star and/or a seven-footer (which Minnesota is completely absent of) for his rights would be absurd.

Should this amount to truth, be prepared for annual defensive putridity and a whole lot of “shoulda, coulda, wouldas” for years to come.
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Posted By: Dustin Chapman