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Timberwolves Draft Review: Good the Wolves passed on Curry?

By Max Neuhaus

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: The Minnesota Timberwolves reveal their new logo during halftime against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 11, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: The Minnesota Timberwolves reveal their new logo during halftime against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 11, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Ricky Rubio shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected fifth by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2009 NBA Draft on June 25, 2009 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Ricky Rubio shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected fifth by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2009 NBA Draft on June 25, 2009 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2009 Draft

“With the 5th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota TImberwolves select Ricky Rubio” was music to many Minnesota Timberwolves fans’ ears. One of the most exciting prospects in the draft was coming to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. He was going to be the one to bring excitement back to the Target Center and pull this team into the playoffs.

Wolves fans only had a minute to celebrate, however, as Minnesota was on the clock again. The college scoring machine, Steph Curry, was still on the board and it had Timberwolves fans drooling. Pairing a dynamic scorer like Curry with their new Spanish point guard would bring fans in the door in droves.

“With the 6th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft,” Commissioner David Stern announced as the hometown fans excitement grew. “The Minnesota Timberwolves select,” Stern took a slight pause that felt like an eternity. “…Jonny Flynn”.

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Jonny Flynn? Everyone seemed confused. A good player at Syracuse, but you are passing on Curry to pick another point guard? While the two-time MVP was a point guard coming out of college, it seemed much more likely that he could make the transition to shooting guard.

Obviously, the son of former NBA player Dell Curry was the glaring miss, but there were plenty of other talented players that former front office boss David Kahn missed on. Players like Demar Derozan (ninth overall) and Jrue Holiday (17th). Even current Timberwolves Jeff Teague (19th) and Taj Gibson (26th) were still on the board.

Teague and Gibson would have still been available when the Wolves made their third pick of the first round at #18 and took Ty Lawson, another point guard. Hours later, they flipped him to Denver for a future first-rounder and cash.

Kahn was so sure this pairing was going to work, he reportedly told then-Timberwolves assistant coach Dave Wohl of Rubio and Flynn “they remind me of Frazier and Monroe”. He is, of course, speaking of Knicks duo Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and Walt “Clyde” Frazier.

Missing out on Curry was a huge black-eye on Kahn and his staff, but he had the ability to bounce back in next year’s draft. He did not.

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