Like many sports fans who checked out the results from the NBA Draft Thursday (June 25), I was confused when I heard the Minnesota Timberwolves took point guards with the No. 5 and 6 picks.

Ricky Rubio, an 18-year-old from Spain, was Minnesota's first pick, followed by Syracuse's Jonny Flynn moments later.

My first reaction was, there must be a trade brewing. Why take two point guards so early in the draft?

Turns out new GM David Kahn plans to keep both players AND play them together in the same backcourt.

The move is bold - some media types are already ripping the Wolves for the two picks – and certainly unconventional.

Kahn obviously believes the pairing can work, mentioning some 1980s backcourts (Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge in Boston and Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas in Detroit) as examples of how it might work.

"I truly believe these kids can play together," Kahn said, "Great players like playing with other great players."

Flynn will certainly log his fair share of minutes next season.

Whether Rubio's on the court with him is up for debate.

Rubio has to buy out his contract before he can sign with Minnesota and could return to Spain for another year of seasoning. He also has made it clear he doesn't like the weather in Minnesota (who does, right?) and could be a tough signing.

Minnesota then picked North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson - yes, another point guard - with the No. 18 pick and then shipped Lawson to Denver for a first-round pick in 2010.

That pick, originally from Charlotte, is protected if the Bobcats have a top-12 pick next year.

Shooting guard Wayne Ellington of North Carolina was Minnesota's fourth first-round pick at No. 28.

Nick Calathes, a 6-6 guard from Florida, and Henk Norel, a 6-11 forward from the Netherlands, were Minnesota's second-round selections.

Calathes was later shipped to Dallas for a future second round pick and cash considerations.

Norel will spend at least another year with his Eueropean team in Spain.

If things fall right for the Wolves, they will have three first-round picks and a pair of second rounders in 2010.

Rubio, Flynn and Ellington are not going to turn Minnesota into a 50-win team in 2010, but there is hope on the horizon.

Depending what Minnesota adds via free agency, this should be an interesting offseason because the wheeling and dealing has just started.