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One of former Wolves general manager Kevin McHale (man, that sounds nice, doesn't it?)'s biggest flaws in running the team was that he over-thought his draft picks. Not to sound like a psychologist, but it seemed like K-Mac always felt a need to prove his worth by finding a hidden "gem." As if simply drafting the widely-accepted best player available wouldn't prove his worth.

It wasn't enough to simply draft a well-known college stud like Brandon Roy. He tried to outmaneuver everyone in the league by trading Roy for the less-heralded Randy Foye. We know how that worked out. Instead of taking the polished, productive Josh Howard, he had to take the obscure high-schooler Ndudi Ebi.

Now, McHale is gone. David Khan is the new basketball boss. And while I was disappointed in the hire, because Tom Penn or Dennis Lindsay would have been so much more energizing and exciting as a fan, I'm going to give Khan a chance. He's in a position to do exactly what McHale wouldn't ever do in this draft.

When the sixth pick rolls around, arguably the biggest star in college basketball is likely going to be available for the picking. And with one decision, Khan will shape my opinion of him. The Wolves need to draft Stephen Curry.

I know, Curry would be a slight reach at six. And I know, some scouts are concerned about his ability to get shots against bigger NBA defenders, and how well he can guard NBA point guards. But none of that sways me, and it shouldn't sway you. WORST CASE scenario, Curry is a three-point sharpshooter off the bench for years in Minnesota. Best case, he's a solid-to-very-good starting point guard who runs the offense, spaces the floor for Al and Love, and acts as a vocal leader (which the Wolves don't have) for the next decade.

No, I don't think Stephen Curry is going to be a franchise player in the NBA. For all the reasons his critics give. But I also think the odds of him being a Gerald Green-like, off-the-team-in-two-years mega bust are slim to none. Let's face it: This is a weak draft. If you're not picking Blake Griffin or Ricky Rubio, I don't think you're getting a franchise player.

The Timberwolves, believe it or not, aren't too far off from being a reasonably competitive, watchable team. They've got three solid-to-excellent building blocks in place (Foye, Jefferson, and Love). What they need right now is to add another one. They CAN NOT afford to swing for the fences and completely miss, which is what I'm terrified will happen.

I don't like the Wolves draft slot, because every mock draft has them taking someone like DeMarcus DeRozan, Tyreke Evans, or Brandon Jennings. And the report on all three of them is something like: Talented, athletic, good wingspan, etc..... But raw/lacks basketball instinct/is an enigma. That's not good for this team. Raw, talented players don't succeed when they go to losing organizations with losing cultures like the Wolves. Who will they learn how to be NBA players from?

Curry has off-the-charts basketball IQ, is already a celebrity, and is the son of an NBA player. He's the kind of guy who will go a long way towards establishing a winning culture. In a draft full of uncertainties, we KNOW that Curry will contribute to whichever NBA team drafts him. How much is up for debate. But I see him as a creative, crafty point guard who can distribute the ball, shoot the lights out, and take over in the clutch. In other words, the perfect sidekick to Big Al. Plus, he's really fun to watch.

I've been hearing complaints on blog posts that the Wolves have an unathletic roster, and they need to draft an above-the-rim athlete, which Curry clearly is not. I don't think this argument holds water. When the Wolves made the KG trade two years ago, they chose to build around Al Jefferson. And then they added Kevin Love. When your cornerstones are those two players, you aren't going to play a fast-paced, high-flying game. Everyone could use an athlete like DeRozan. But the Wolves are built around two unathletic but highly skilled power forwards, so they're built to play a half-court game. Curry's ability to get open off screens and find the open man make him ideally suited to play that style.

The other main complaint with Steph is that with his slight frame, he won't be able to defend bigger guards. People from this vein think the Wolves should take Jrue Holiday. And while you won't hear any complaints from me if we end up with Holiday (I think he'd be really good, too) I don't necessarily think that's a reason to pass on Curry. Because it's a fixable issue. If you watched Curry in college, he has really good defensive instincts. He comes up with alot of steals, and plays the passing lanes really well. If he adds 10 to 15 pounds of muscle over the next few years, then he'd be a reasonably effective straight-up man defender too. And then his already-polished, surpassing offensive skills make him a better, more valuable player than Holiday.

So get it done, Khan. Curry will almost surely be there for the taking at six. He's a good fit for the roster, and he has an easy charisma and charm that nobody on the team has. And when you draft him, please don't trade him.

 
June 1, 2009  10:22 PM ET

Note: The one exception would be if James Harden were still available. If he is, I think we take him and grab a point like Eric Maynor with the 18th pick.

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