The number two pick in the 2001 NBA Draft is still being shopped by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it appears the Wizards are not willing to deal 23-year-old pogostick center JaVale McGee to obtain that pick (most likely used to select Derrick Williams). Via Michael Lee of the Washington Post:
The Minnesota Timberwolves may want JaVale McGee in any swap for the No. 2 overall pick, but the Wizards have no interest in moving the incredibly athletic, 7-foot-1 center, according to two sources with knowledge of the team's thinking.
Lee has been doing yeoman's work for weeks, reporting on several rumors and trade scenarios that did have the Wizards trading McGee to the Timberwolves for that number two pick. However, as Lee reports, the Wizards consider JaVale a key building block for the future in Washington.
Trading McGee hasn't even been discussed internally, according to the sources -- especially since many within the organization believe that the 23-year-old McGee would be deemed a top three-to-five pick if he were in the draft this year.
As many NBA scribes have noted, the 2011 NBA Draft could be bereft of superstar players, so it's nice to see Ernie Grunfeld and Wizards management appearing to be patient, holding assets close and not willing to lose them on a complete crapshoot of a draft. However, if Ernie wants to trade Blatche, I'm willing to go pick Andray up at his condo and drive him to the airport, no matter the time of day. I'm just that kind of guy.