Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 best draft trades

By Christian Anton

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks before the start of the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks before the start of the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 132-128. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 132-128. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

4. 2008 NBA Draft:  Blockbuster trade between Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves.

I remember this trade like it was yesterday.  Partially because at the time I was not a fan of it.  The front office made the right call on this one by drafting O. J. Mayo third overall and moving him for Kevin Love who was taken fifth overall by Memphis.

The Minnesota Timberwolves sent Mayo, Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner to the Memphis Grizzlies.  In return, they received Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins.

When looking back on this trade we can now see how much of a steal it really was.  This was essentially an O. J. Mayo for Kevin Love trade with random role players thrown in to sweeten the deal for both sides.

O. J. Mayo started off hot averaging 18.5 points per game in his rookie season.  However, his numbers continued to go down over the next seven seasons until he fizzled out of the league.

On the other hand, Love has enjoyed a stellar career both with the Minnesota Timberwolves and currently the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During  Love’s six-year tenure with the Timberwolves, he averaged a double-double with 19.2 points per game and 12.2 rebounds per game.  He made three all-star game appearances, two second-team all-NBA squads and received a most improved player award in 2011.

This was as lopsided of a trade as you could find and it overwhelmingly favored the Minnesota Timberwolves front office judgement.

Love has since gone on to become an NBA champion as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.