“If Steph Goes in Minnesota…”: 14 Years After Timberwolves Snub, $120 Million Rich NBA Agent Sheds Light on Possible Post-Draft Outcomes

It is common knowledge among the long-time NBA fans that the Minnesota Timberwolves fluffed the 2009 Draft. They picked Johnny Flynn at number six, who, after a solid rookie season (13.5 PPG and 4.4 APG) wasn’t the same player after hip surgery. In the following season, he averaged just around five points and less than four assists. He faded away from the league way too soon. This dip in production meant that Wolves’ development was now set back for a long time.

At number seven, the Warriors grabbed Stephen Curry with outstretched arms and never looked back. What if the Wolves had selected him?

Stephen Curry could have made the Wolves’ market bloom

Free Agency phenom Rich Paul has made bank, having a net worth of $120 million. He has a client list that can run past 50 players and one of his clients, Anthony Davis, recently signed a blockbuster three-year $186 million deal. The agent knows the nuances of the business better than most.

He went to Gilbert Arenas‘ show “Gil’s Arena’’ and discussed the nature of the NBA market. How players are valued and what impact they can have on the market of a franchise.

As he was talking about players who can change the dynamics of the market, he labeled only a few athletes as “market busters”. Then he brought up Steph Curry as one of the market busters. He said, “If Steph goes to Minnesota, maybe they don’t win, but his impact on the game, how he plays the game. Kids think they can walk outside, go into to the gym, and throw the ball forty feet, you Steph Curry, we cannot deny that”.

Therefore, the phenomenal agent makes a compelling argument about the value of Curry, someone who can transform the market. Since he has changed the way the game is perceived and played, perhaps his play could have been transcendental, even in Minnesota.

Paul’s argument hinges upon the sharpshooter’s playing style more than the wins he could have added. Since developing a draft-focused and liberal championship style of Warriors is a rarity, Curry may have not won much with Minnesota. However, he could have added more value and attention to their market. But what about the unpredictable nature of the NBA and life itself?

Would Curry have had the same impact?

While Curry entered the NBA after setting the record for most three-pointers in a season in the NCAA, people questioned his defensive performance as a 6’2” One-Guard. That is why he fell to number seven in the draft. It is true that he could shoot from way beyond since his early years, but would his development have been the same? If the Wolves Franchise, in its usual fashion, had put up sub-par squads around him, would he have even stayed?

READ MORE: “Weird Human Being”: Months After Beating 12,500:1 Odds, Warriors Legend Exposes “Chef” Stephen Curry’s Secret Sauce to Success

In the end, it is winning that attracts fans to the stadium the most. Individual performances can only go so far. While Paul is correct about Curry being a “market buster”, didn’t the Warriors make him a player like that?

As we dive into this debate, the Wolves must still wonder what could have been. 

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