The Timberwolves have selected 22-year old center Paulo Pretes with the 45th overall pick of the NBA Draft. Pretes played in 28 games (20 starts) in Spain last season and he averaged 9.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. In four years in Spain, Pretes played in 134 games in which he averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. The T-Wolves hope that Pretes will be the next solid player from Brazil along the lines of a Nene’ Hilario or Anderson Varejao.

The Timberwolves have picked 22-year old forward Trevor Booker (#23) and 23-year old center Hamady Ndiaye (#56 overall). They turned around and traded them to the Wizards for 22-year old power forward Nemanja Bjelica (#35 overall) and 23-year old forward Lazar Hayward (#30 overall). Lazar Hayward played in 34 games (all starts) at Marquette last season and he averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He played in 138 games (118 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Nemanja Bjelica is 6′10″, 224 pounds but he’s a tad soft. Bjelica has played in 111 games in his three years in Serbia and he averaged 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. It will be interesting to see who wins this trade down the road.

UPDATE: (8/3/2010) - Nemanja Bjelica has signed a 5-year contact to play in Spain. He has a buyout option to leave for the NBA after two seasons. The Timberwolves need to concentrate on drafting players who will play for them.

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected 21-year old small forward Luke Babbitt out of Nevada and then they traded him along with 27-year old forward Ryan Gomes for 23-year old small forward Martell Webster. Gomes played in 76 games (64 starts) for the T-Wolves last season and he averaged 29.1 minutes, 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Gomes played in 240 games (214 starts) in his three years in Minnesota and he averaged 30.2 minutes, 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Martell Webster is a player on the rise. He played in 82 games (49 starts) for the Blazers last season and he averaged 24.5 minutes, 9.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Webster has now played in 301 games (164 starts) in his five years in the NBA and he is averaging 23.2 minutes, 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Webster probably has the highest upside of the three players involved in this trade but the T-Wolves gave up a bit to get him.

The Timberwolves have selected 22-year old small forward Wesley Johnson out of Syracuse with the 4th overall pick. Johnson played in 35 games (all starts) for Syracuse last season and he averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.8 blocked shots per game. He finished his career with the Orange playing in 93 games (90 starts) in which he averaged 13.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Johnson will likely move right into the starting lineup at small forward for the T-Wolves giving them a very solid front line.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the most picks (5) in the NBA Draft tomorrow night. The T-Wolves hold the #4, #16, #23, #45 and #56 picks heading into tomorrow night’s draft. The Timberwolves appear ready to wheel and deal and they have some players other teams covet. Al Jefferson or Kevin Love could be on the move tomorrow night. Rumors abound that the Pacers are after Jonny Flynn and the T-Wolves would likely consider trading Corey Brewer and the #23 pick to the Raptors for the #13 pick and Hedo Turkoglu. That trade would only likely happen if the Nets surprise everyone and take small forward Wesley Johnson out of Syracuse who is the player the T-Wolves most covet. Make sure to tune in tomorrow night and watch the T-Wolves get better right in front of your eyes.