Can Minnesota Get No. 2 Without Giving Up Both Top-Six Picks?

With Tuesday's talent dump netting the No. 5 pick for Minnesota, the initial theory followed that said pick combined with the Wolves' own No. 6 could net the team Memphis' for-sale No. 2 pick, a selection coveted by several teams. Minnesota quickly blew back that idea, saying it would not be giving up both top-six picks in any such deal.

But the quest for No. 2 -- and the Ricky Rubio or Hasheem Thabeet it entails -- isn't over yet.

Several reports now indicate Minnesota is attempting to combine one of the picks with its own No. 18 pick (acquired from Miami) to move up to No. 2. No word on whether Memphis is interested. Previous rumors followed a similar tone: Sacramento had been reported as considering packaging its No. 4 and No. 23 picks for the Memphis pick, and there was a whisper or two about Minnesota's interest in combining No. 6 and No. 18 before. Is replacing the No. 6 with No. 5 really a big enough boon for the Grizzlies?

I would argue that it's not, and that Memphis needs to hold out for both top-six picks (which Minnesota would be crazy to give up) or some sort of talent infusion (like Corey Brewer). Memphis has No. 27 and No. 36 already -- gaining a late first isn't really a huge asset in this case, unless there is a very specific player the team is after.

For Minnesota, it'd be a coup to grab No. 2 while keeping No. 5 or No. 6. Think of it another way: would you trade Mike Miller, Randy Foye and the No. 18 pick for the No. 2 pick? It's a no-brainer.