DRAFT PICK:
Kevin Love, F, 6-9, UCLA -- Uniquely skilled big man who was named Pac-10 Player of the Year and First Team All America as a freshman. Considered perhaps the best outlet passer since Bill Walton or Wes Unseld. By the way, his middle name is Wesley. His father, former NBA player Stan Love, named him that after Unseld, a former teammate. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Al Jefferson. The only real reason to believe in the future, Jefferson proved he could place a franchise upon his shoulders and carry it with a 20-plus point, 10-plus rebound night nearly every time out. Whether he makes the next step forward next season that he did this one will depend on whether his focus on shot-blocking and passing late in the season was just a passing fad.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Corey Brewer. Wolves' fans hoped the rookie, seventh overall pick and 2007 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player would prove to be the sleeper of the draft. He demonstrated flashes of great athleticism and enough length and ability to defend the other team's best player many nights. But he also couldn't shoot a lick, averaging 5.7 points on 37.5 shooting for the season. So skinny, Brewer must get stronger and relax with his shot.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Wolves addressed their main needs when they acquired Kevin Love and Mike Miller, among others, in a draft-night trade.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Wolves might make a modest move if the right veteran comes along, but the Wolves' braintrust has structured its salary cap so the team can make a big splash in the market in 2009.
PLAYER NOTES:
--The Wolves extended qualifying offers to forwards Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith and Chris Richard, all of whom become restricted free agents. By doing so, they retain the right to match any offers from other teams.
--They did not extend a qualifying offer to guard Sebastian Telfair because they would have had to guarantee him a $3.5 million salary. The team still hopes to re-sign him after he becomes a restricted free agent on July 1. Randy Foye is the only point guard currently under contract.
--Former Michigan State point guard Drew Neitzel, who was not drafted on Thursday, will play for the Wolves' summer league team in Las Vegas in July.
--The Wolves also are trying to get former Houston Rockets guard John Lucas to play in Vegas with their summer-league team alongside Kevin Love and second-year players Chris Richard and Corey Brewer.
