Wolves Pick LaVine And Robinson III

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have taken UCLA guard Zach LaVine with the 13th overall pick in the first round.

The 6-foot-6 LaVine averaged 9.4 points and shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range as a freshman for the Bruins last season. He is considered one of the most athletic players in the draft, and the Timberwolves are in the market for a dynamic perimeter player to run the fast break with Ricky Rubio.

LaVine averaged under 25 minutes per game for the Bruins last season. But the Wolves believe the 19-year-old has a lot of room to grow and can develop into a playmaker on the wing.

The Timberwolves were also in conversations with several teams about trading All-Star forward Kevin Love but as of yet, nothing has transpired

Wolves trade 53rd pick to Houston for cash

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that the Minnesota Timberwolves have traded the 53rd overall pick to the Houston Rockets for cash considerations.

The Timberwolves selected Italian forward Alessandro Gentile for the Rockets. The person requested anonymity because the trade had not been officially announced.

It was the second sale of a pick in the second round for the Wolves on Thursday night.

Wolves draft Robinson III with 40th overall pick

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have selected Michigan forward Glenn Robinson III with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft.

Robinson, the son of former NBA player and Purdue star Glenn Robinson, averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Wolverines as a sophomore last year.

The Timberwolves drafted UCLA guard Zach LaVine 13th overall in the first round.

Nets acquire Brown from Wolves in 2nd round

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets made a late move into the NBA draft, acquiring the rights to No. 44 pick Markel Brown from Minnesota.

The Nets sent the Timberwolves cash considerations for the guard from Oklahoma State on Thursday night. Playing alongside Marcus Smart, who went with the No. 6 pick to Boston, Brown averaged 17.2 points last season, fifth in the Big 12.

Brooklyn, hosting the draft at Barclays Center, was going to sit out the draft until being able to make the trade. General manager Billy King says the Nets considered buying a first-round pick but that the cost was too high.