The Minnesota Timberwolves whiffed on the playoffs yet again this season and with it they marked the ten year anniversary of the last time a playoff basketball game was played in the great state of Minnesota. It’s no wonder the rumblings continue to grow regarding Kevin Love’s rumoured departure; players want to win and that just isn’t happening for the Timberwolves.
With the Wolves 40-42 record and third place finish in the Northwest Division they all but assured themselves of yet another go round in the NBA Draft Lottery. The Wolves were slated for the 13th pick and that is exactly what they got once the lottery balls had stopped.
Recent Entry Drafts have not been overly kind to Minnesota as have swung and missed on nearly all their picks in the last four years. The 2010 Draft was particularly painful as David Kahn reached with the 4rth overall pick and took Wesley Johnson and in doing so left Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe and Gordon Hayward on the board.
As if determined to have history not repeat itself and then fail miserably at it, the Wolves took Derrick Williams with the second overall pick the following year which left a lot of talent on the board. Two consecutive years that the Wolves brass over-reached with their scouting assessments and valuation of prospects. But all was not lost for they seemingly got things right last season as they grabbed Trey Burke with the 9th overall pick; then promptly traded him for Shabazz Muhammad...ooops!
Biggest Draft Day Need:
As it stands now the Wolves are slated to have approximately $10 million to spend on free-agents before they encroach on the luxury tax. They surely will not be able to land a big name player for that price and convincing a second-tier free-agent to come when Love’s departure is looming will not be an easy task.
No question about it, the Wolves must land a solid player here at this draft slot; they simply can’t afford to miss out yet again on getting a serviceable NBA player on a decent guaranteed rookie contract.
The Wolves did get solid production from Love and Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin; however, that is pretty much where it stopped. Ricky Rubio showed off his horrific shooting abilities and propensity to turning the ball over and the rest of the wing scorers shot equally miserably from the field.
I could see the Wolves going shopping for some help on the wing, someone who might fit the stretch-four concept or a small forward who can consistently knock down jumpers. Nik Stauskas from Michigan is the name that gets associated to the Wolves the most and he is likely in play, at least as a consideration.
While Stauskas could contribute he might not be the best option depending on how draft night shakes out. A player whose stock seems to be slipping a bit is Creighton’s Doug McDermott. McDermott’s stock is taking a bit of a hit due to his very average measurements at the recent draft combine. He is already viewed as being a soft-four who comes with a lack of upper body strength, athleticism and length. Very similar like comments to a certain former UCLA player who might just be the most coveted player in the league come next season.
If McDermott is available the Wolves will take him. If McDermott is off the board then look for Stauskas to get some consideration as well as Kentucky’s James Young. I think the Wolves would prefer both McDermott and Young to Stauskas but they will have to wait till draft night to see how the other teams drafting ahead of them valued these guys. In the end I think the Wolves end up with James Young and that should suit them just fine. Young is climbing in many mock drafts and he could just be the guy Minny wants all along here.