"It's a possibility. I've been told I'm wise beyond my years, so maybe that'll be my next job," Love joked Friday.

That would be a big responsibility for a 20-year-old, though Love held up relatively well during his rookie season. He was third in the NBA with 274 offensive rebounds - finishing behind Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, who both had more playing time.

For now, though, Love will settle for representing the Timberwolves at the draft lottery drawing in New Jersey on Tuesday night. General manager Jim Stack nominated the thin-bearded big man for the job after collecting endorsements from teammates Al Jefferson and Randy Foye.

Love is hoping his presence will bring some luck to a franchise that has been short in that department since entering the league 20 years ago.

"It'd be huge," Love said, kidding that he wished he had the appropriate incentives in his contract, should this be the Wolves' year to get the No. 1 pick.

Minnesota has a 7.6 percent chance of getting the first choice this year, the fifth-best odds, after finishing 24-58. The Wolves will select fifth if their pingpong ball doesn't pop up and allow them to move into the top three. They also own two non-lottery first-round picks, Nos. 18 and 28.

But while some solid young players have been assembled in Minnesota, what this team doesn't need is just another rookie. The top choice in the draft would help attract interest in a product that has lost a lot of demand in recent years in a crowded market for entertainment dollars.

Pressure's on, kid.

Timberwolves representatives have brought good luck charms to the lottery in the past, but Love dismissed that possibility by pointing to the lack of success.

"At the end of the day, it's all business and we want to get the best pick possible," he said.

The burning question is this: Who will be in charge of making that pick?

Stack and assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg are internal candidates for the vice president for basketball operations job vacated when Kevin McHale became coach last December. Portland assistant general manager Tom Penn is in the mix, as is former Indiana general manager David Kahn. But San Antonio assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey withdrew from consideration, and former Miami general manager Randy Pfund told the Star Tribune he's out.

"I don't think it's the right situation for me right now in Minnesota," Pfund said in an article posted Friday on the newspaper's Web site.

Love, speaking on a conference call with local reporters, acknowledged the uncertainty.

"It's a little weird, not knowing who we turn to next year to make the decisions," he said, adding: "This is definitely a first for me. I'm not used to that."

As for McHale's desire to continue as coach, well, that's still up in the air.

"I think the consensus is everybody likes him and would love to play for him again," Love said.