Rudy Gay is probably a top five free agent this summer. In the last three years, he’s been a reliable 19-point, 6-rebound guy, and his number of trips to the foul line have improved in each year. He’s jacking fewer three’s and becoming very difficult to defend. He’s only 24 this August. Is Gay worth a max deal before Atlanta’s Joe Johnson?

Minnesota seems to think so. The Timberwolves apparently want Gay – Memphis can match any offer – to be the lynchpin of … whatever it is decision-maker David Kahn is trying to do. A lineup of Flynn, Corey Brewer, Gay, Love and Jefferson could be as good as Memphis was last year. (Although having Gay and Love in the same lineup will obviously lead to humor and humorous photos.) Minnesota has three first-round picks, so perhaps they could package them with Love or Jefferson to move up a spot or two to make sure they get a legit center (DeMarcus Cousins?). Would that be enough to get Ricky Rubio to leave Spain?

The 76ers seem to be leaning to Evan Turner. Would the Nets take Cousins 3rd? The problem with going after Derrick Favors is that he’s pretty much a carbon copy (size-wise) of Love and Jefferson. The Wolves could also just take Daniel Orton later in the lottery, although he’s not ready to be an impact player. [Commercial-Appeal]