Before we get into the meat of the conversation, let me first start by saying this is not based on what other teams may need, or  which player is “too good” for the Wolves.  This is based on what we have seen so far with our squad and how our players have been playing.  This is not based on any rumors and internet chatter or any insider information.  This is purely thoughts for a slow day at work on the Friday after Thanksgiving – unless you work at a mall or Best Buy.

Candidate No. 1:  Wayne Ellington*

Let’s go back and recap.  Summer League for Ellington was everything a coach would want to see.  Ellington proved he was more than “just a shooter”, could score varieties of ways and he rebounded well for a guard his size.  He was named the starter for the first game of the season against the Kings and played 29 mins.  He started a few more games and then the Corey Brewer/Wesley Johnson tango began and now Ellington is relegated to the end of the bench, has a fair share of DNPs, and has only recently found his way back to the court.

Ellington is skilled, is a decent athlete, and he is young.  But at 6’4” he will struggle to guard bigger shooting guards and he cannot stay in front of most point guards.  His youth and overall offensive game are assets which make him a piece that can work off the bench on a team like the Spurs, Bulls, or even New York.  But in Minnesota, he gets lost in the shuffle behind Johnson and Brewer and has no chance to make a difference on the court.

The Wolves have stated they are not picking the option up on Corey Brewer, so the team may not let Ellington knowing Brewer is gone, one way or another.

Candidate No. 2: Corey Brewer*

Brewer is in the last year of his deal and the Wolves seem to moving on with Johnson as the starter.  Last season, Brewer started every game, improved his shooting and provided Wolves-nation with many memorable moments including monster dunks and half court shots.  But when the Wolves drafted Johnson at No. 4, and then Luke Babbitt, it looked as if his days were numbered then.  Babbitt is now in Portland, and Brewer has been sharing time with Johnson and has even started a few games.  So why would the Wolves trade him?  First, they would get something in return, if even a second-round pick.  Brewer plays hard, is improving his shot, plays tough defense, and always has a smile on his face.  But he is not a value at his price tag.

The Wolves drafted him at No. 7 in the 2007 NBA draft, because of that; his current salary is higher than his value on this team.  Brewer makes more than Kevin Love, Wesley Johnson, Luke Ridnour and Jonny Flynn.

Brewer has never a high-ceiling guy, but his defensive ability, his athleticism and the fact was a winner, made him worth the chance.  If we were to ready the draft, there is not a team which would take him at No. 7.  Not to say he is not a good player, but not the No. 7 pick. Typically players with his skill set and age come later in first round and even the second.

*Both Brewer and Ellington will move down the bench when Martell Webster returns.

Candidate No. 3: Kosta Koufos

He came over in the Ramon Sessions/Ryan Hollins deal with Sebastian Telfair, and has had a few moments.  That is really about it.

When I watched Koufos in college, I really thought he should have stayed another year at Ohio State – which can be said for most seven-footers from OSU.  But Koufos was very raw and had no game other than being bigger than more people.

Currently he is only playing 7.2 minutes per game and does not really have much of a role on the team at this point.

Honorable Mention:  Sebastian Telfair

With injuries to both Luke Ridnour and Jonny Flynn, Telfair has played a good deal of minutes and has been pretty solid as a starter.  Previously, I mentioned I would like to see the Wolves keep Telfair once Flynn gets back, and still think they will.  But depending on his play, and spot in the rotation, the Wolves may find him expendable.  Even the signing of Sudiata Gaines seems to be pushing Telfiar out the door.

That said, the Wolves have seen what it is like to rely on a non-point guard with Marice Ager earlier this season, which could have scared them enough into holding on to Telfair.  If that is the decision and reasoning, I would not blame them at all.

That Being Said…

I would be surprised to see any deals done this season.  Why?  Early this season GM David Kahn took an a full-page ad out in the St. Paul Tribune and vaguely laid out the teams future plans in concerns to player movement with this statement;

The reality is, we are still lacking a dominant player – our version of Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade or Kevin Durant – and that will remain an item at the top of the To-Do list.

However, if one of our players fails to emerge, we will be prepared to find more talent for our team – and we will seek a singular move rather than a series of moves, as we did these last 14 months.

With Kahn laying out their desire to find their “Kobe”, a handful of close loses, and positives in player development and overall play, I can not think of a player other than Brewer who could be traded.  Gaines could be cut, but not traded.  There is not enough value there to make the trades worth while if we have to take back more salary and can not get draft picks.

The Wolves will have to do a in depth self evaluation to determine if the team is on pace for this season’s plan, and if they are, can the fans wait until next season when this team will add Ricky Rubio and hopefully a dominant player.

All of this would become irrelevant if there is a lockout next season.  The lockout is something I hope to completely ignore and avoid, like feelings at family gathering.  Just brush them under the rug and they will go away.

1. I love the chemistry of this roster.  And no matter what people say, chemistry matters.
2. Luke Ridnour impresses me is shooting has been better then advertised.  Granted, it has only been three games.
3. Darko has to be more than a black-hole on the block.  Especially when this season his averages are is 22 minutes, 24% shooting from the field, 67% from the foul-line, 5.3 rpg and 4.7 ppg.  The only bright spot – he is averaging 3.3 blocks per game which is 3rd in the league.  But come one, please show me something!
4. Micheal Beasley has been great to watch.  He has hustled, made big shots, and looks very motivated.  But Beasley’s relationship with the fans reminds me of  Randy Moss when he was with the Vikings – either time.  I hope it ends better.
5. Kevin Love needs to remember that it is OK not shot the 3-point shot every time you get the ball there.  But I love the double-doubles.
6. Corey Brewer still impresses me.  Even though he is not starting – and without an extension, he is an important player off the bench.  He brings a ton of hustle and athletic ability and has improved his shooting.
7. I don’t understand limiting Love to 25 mins a game.  What is the point?  Saving him for the playoffs…wait.  Nope.  He is only 22 years old.
8. Wes Johnson has a nice jumper, can get off the floor, rebounds well, but struggles with ball-handling.  All in all, I like him as a player…so far.
9. Kosta Koufos has the worst hair in the league.  But is surprisingly productive with his minutes.
10. Anthony Tolliver has been fun to watch, but the only way he should play over Love is if Love loses an arm.
11. I still think Sebastian Telfair is gone once Jonny Flynn gets healthy.
12. I do wonder what will happen to the rotation when Flynn and Martell Webster return.
13. The Wolves average 55 rebounds a game which is best in the league.  They also grab 12.7 rebounds more a game than their opponents.

Other NBA Thoughts

1. The Heat will struggle on the road, but could very well go undefeated at home.  Mike Miller needs to get healthy ASAP!
2. Depth will not be an issue with the Lakers, but Kobe does not look great.  But give it time.
3. The Clippers are 0-4 and Baron Davis is out of shape, but Blake Griffin looks amazing averaging a double-double (give him the ROY already) and Eric Gordon is legit.
4. Even though the Magic were destroyed by the Heat, I still think they will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.
5. The Cavs beat the Celtics, but I have to believe we will see roster moves ala David Kahn in the next 14 months.
6. Houston Rockets = my favorite non-Minnesota team.  They added Brad Miller and Courtney Lee from free agency, Luis Scola is 3rd in scoring in the NBA, and this team looks legit.

7. Monta Ellis averages 27 ppg and is shooting 59% from the field.  He is going to be an All-Star reserve.  Write it down!
8. The Pistons make me sad.  Richard Hamilton is counting down the days to the trading deadline.
9. You know Kevin Durant is the leading scorer in the league, Scola is third, but do you know who is second? Derrick Rose.  Boozer can not come back soon enough.
10. Rajon Rondo amazes me.  He is leading the league with 16.7 assist per game and is third on the team in rebounding at 6.3 per game (Paul Peirce is 2nd).  Only through three games, but still.  That’s amazing!  I can’t wait for Kendrick Perkins to come back and then the insanity will ensue!  PS Glen Davis is scoring as much as KG.
11. New Orleans’ Marcus Thornton for Sixth Man Of The Year!  Like the Cavs, this roster is going to blown up.
12. Maybe Chauncey Billups is tried from this summer, but he is not playing well.  That can not make the Denver front office feel good.  Outcome = see the Cavs and Hornets.  Enjoy Melo while you can.
13. The Bucks look bad, I feel bad for Michael Redd, he is a classy guy.  But that is $18M not even in street clothes.
14. Dallas is old and Dirk is leading the team in rebounding – look out.

Well, the Wolves face the Heat tonight in Miami, and it could be ugly.  Or the Wolves could step it up and make a game of it.

Here are the Wolves next five games;

• Nov. 2nd @ Miami
• Nov. 3rd @ Orlando
• Nov. 5th Vs. Atlanta
• Nov. 7th @Houston
• Nov. 9th @ LA Lakers