T-Wolves/Pacers Trade

According to sources (NOT confirmed as of this writing), a trade is in the works for the Indiana Pacers to send Danny Granger to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Ricky Rubio, Michael Beasley and the #2 pick in the 2011 draft.

The Indiana Pacers would benefit by setting the foundation for their future. Their starting lineup could have the look of:

PG - Darren Collison

SG - Paul George

SF - Michael Beasley

PF - Tyler Hansbrough

C - Roy Hibbert

Bench: Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams (?)

That’s a solid foundation for the future, and would likely have some cap room to make a run at some decent free agents. The point guard combo of Darren Collison and Ricky Rubio would provide two small guards, but Rubio is an excellent passer and Collison had a decent series in the first round of the 2011 playoffs against the Chicago Bulls and should have high hopes for the future with more experience. The only question mark I would see is the front-court. They would have too many undersized players out of position, especially if they draft Derrick Williams. Williams is more suited for a small forward type in the NBA, and Michael Beasley is a tweener between small and power forward. However, in the Eastern Conference with the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, and the future New York Knicks, they will have to build up as much talent as possible.

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For the Minnesota Timberwolves, I don’t see the direction of this trade. The Timberwolves are a team that definitely needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, and Ricky Rubio was expected to be the main person in those plans. The future lineup would look like:

PG - Luke Ridnour

SG - Wesley Johnson

SF - Danny Granger

PF - Kevin Love

C - Darko Milicic

Now to me that doesn’t look like a team that’s going to battle with any of the top teams in the league. Yes, they would be improved with Granger, but is it worth giving up on the future of Rubio, Beasley, and Williams?