Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 worst draft trades

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the first overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the first overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) attempts to drive the ball around Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) attempts to drive the ball around Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

3.  David Kahn strikes again.

Now I’ll talk about a dumb David Kahn trade in 2009.

This might be the most scrutinized draft in Minnesota Timberwolves history, and for good reason.  After selecting two point guards in the top six picks, the front office decided on taking one more point guard.

Ty Lawson from North Carolina was taken by the Timberwolves with the 18th pick in the first round.  He was then moved immediately to the Denver Nuggets for a future first-round pick and cash considerations.

I don’t know which one Kahn loved more in his trades… future picks or straight cash?  Either way, this turned out to be another bad move for Mr. Kahn.

Ty Lawson spent the next six years averaging 14.2 points per game and 6.6 assists per game for Denver.  Before being moved due to his personal issues, Lawson was generally thought of as one of the better players to come out of the 2009 draft.

The Lawson led Denver Nuggets made the playoffs over the course of the next four years.  Denver relied heavily on the playmaking ability of Lawson over his years with the Nuggets.

When looking back on this simple trade, if Kahn had instead moved Flynn it would have possibly been looked at as a successful draft.  Alas, in the end, David Kahn fell victim to outsmarting himself.  Timberwolves fans have paid for his bad judgment calls ever since.