Flip Saunders has actually done a great job getting Love

[hpantazo]

The trade highlights the sad reality that the NBA is the only league where a handful of guys truly dictate almost every team's moves.

If LeBron stays in Miami, Love doesn't go to Cleveland.

This. If Lebron didn't go to Cleveland, the TWolves would not have been able to get that type or value for a guy on his way out of town from anyone else. Cleveland traded the past two #1 picks and a future 1st because Lebron forced them to do it.

[D.o.s.]

The trade highlights the sad reality that the NBA is the only league where a handful of guys truly dictate almost every team's moves.

If LeBron stays in Miami, Love doesn't go to Cleveland.

If Ray Allen doesn't go to Boston, KG doesn't go to Boston. This isn't exactly a new phenomenon.

[More Banners]

The trade highlights the sad reality that the NBA is the only league where a handful of guys truly dictate almost every team's moves.

If LeBron stays in Miami, Love doesn't go to Cleveland.

If Ray Allen doesn't go to Boston, KG doesn't go to Boston. This isn't exactly a new phenomenon.

Ray wanted to stay and form a big 3 with Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant.  Not his choice.

[D.o.s.]

The trade highlights the sad reality that the NBA is the only league where a handful of guys truly dictate almost every team's moves.

If LeBron stays in Miami, Love doesn't go to Cleveland.

If Ray Allen doesn't go to Boston, KG doesn't go to Boston. This isn't exactly a new phenomenon.

Ray wanted to stay and form a big 3 with Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant.  Not his choice.

Perhaps you're misunderstanding -- Kevin Garnett forced Ainge to trade for Allen by vetoing the go around of the trade. A small handful of players always influence what teams do in the NBA.

[freshinthehouse]

The trade highlights the sad reality that the NBA is the only league where a handful of guys truly dictate almost every team's moves.

If LeBron stays in Miami, Love doesn't go to Cleveland.

If Ray Allen doesn't go to Boston, KG doesn't go to Boston. This isn't exactly a new phenomenon.

Ray wanted to stay and form a big 3 with Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant.  Not his choice.

I think what D.o.s. is getting at is that KG help all the cards on whether or not he got to Boston or not.  Superstars have been doing this for quite some time. 

Hell, we used to get players that hadn't even played a minute in the NBA and they were dictating who they'd play for (Kobe, Steve Francis, Danny Ferry).  Thankfully we haven't seen a blatant case of that recently.

[inverselock]

The trade highlights the sad reality that the NBA is the only league where a handful of guys truly dictate almost every team's moves.

If LeBron stays in Miami, Love doesn't go to Cleveland.

This. If Lebron didn't go to Cleveland, the TWolves would not have been able to get that type or value for a guy on his way out of town from anyone else. Cleveland traded the past two #1 picks and a future 1st because Lebron forced them to do it.

Cleveland's 1.7% chance to get no.1 pick.......   Damm they are lucky.   

[Future Celtics Owner]

I'll take the opposing side. I thought Minnesota did a poor job:

1. Way too much information coming from their camp all along.
2. Painted themselves into corners negotiating.
3. Ruled out one suitor (BOS) based on emotional factors.
4. Fell in love with certain players.

I'll make the bold prediction that Smart ends up being a better NBA player than Wiggins based off what I saw of their games in summer league and how I think they will translate.  I'll make the bold prediction that there are several players who will prove to be better pros than AW.  He's no franchise player.

Even if you give Wiggins an edge, it has to be a big edge to offset the rest of BOS package vs CLE. Bennett will be better than last season's disaster, but he's not really OK upstairs. Had Blatt shaking his head during the VSL.  JS or KO will be superior. Easily. Our other 2 picks > Cavs pick. Likely Ainge would sweeten the pot too, but there was never an attempt to engage the Celtics and he would have to negotiate against himself otherwise if he went back with a better offer. 

Wolves were shooting to be a better team and compete for the playoffs. that's why they drafted LaVine and are now shooting for Wiggins, Bennett and a late first.  All BS to justify avoiding BOS as a trade partner.  When you're making the case that you can't use picks or cap space well, you're basically admitting you're a clusrterF.

After all that is said, they still got the better deal from the Cavs. Our deal doesn't even compare.

Not if Smart turns out almost as good or better than Wiggins.

I would rate both Sully and Olynyk more highly than Bennett.

Already having Rubio and being committed there, Wiggins vs. Smart is a matter of fit:  no place for Smart.

I'm not sure our package was really much off, but that's based on Wiggins/Smart not being a matter of Wiggins' 1st overall hype or of the lack of a starting spot for Smart, and likely Danny not wanting to take back the garbage contract(s) Flip likely wanted to dump, and we were destined to runner up status.

My take is that the rebuilding team with the best crop of young talent, best most stabilizing PG and veterans, and most flexibility going forward will flourish the quickest.  That is more us than Minny, IMO.

I'll take our young core of Smart/Johnson/Turner/Sully/Olynyk/Zeller over Wiggins/Bennett/the other guy.

The other guy I am assuming is Zack Lavin. I actually think he will be a very good player.