Pessimistic Timberwolves fans might have been satisfied with the results of the NBA Draft Lottery, but most likely they thought, “Of course we win the lottery in one of the weakest draft classes in recent memory!”
It’s true. This draft class has been hailed as weak by many experts, but a first overall pick is a first overall pick, and the Timberwolves have a chance to build a young nucleus around Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell.
Gersson Rosas, the Timberwolves’ President of Basketball Operations, plans to keep all doors open in terms of utilizing the top pick in the draft.
Here are a few things the Timberwolves can do with the first overall pick in the draft:
1. Draft the best player
Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn haunt Timberwolves fans to this day. The Timberwolves do not have a great draft history, which puts even more pressure on the franchise to nail the first pick. While there is not a clear number one prospect like Zion Williamson or LeBron James, many experts agree that Anthony Edwards, Lamelo Ball, and James Wiseman will go in the top three.
Kevin O’Connor from The Ringer, as well as Jay Williams and Jay Bilas from ESPN, predict that Edwards will land in Minnesota. He is the best fit for the Wolves because he is a natural two guard than Ball, but his streaky shooting and effort concerns worry fans who don’t want another Andrew Wiggins situation.
Lamelo Ball carries the biggest name in the draft. His unusual journey from high school sensation at Chino Hills, to Lithuania, to the JBA, and to the NBL has been closely documented by the media. While the Wolves already have Russell, Rosas hinted at the possibility of running two point guards at the same time.
Concerns could also be made on Ball’s shooting performances in the NBL (25% from three) and his defensive performance, but he doesn’t turn 19 until the end of the month. This gives him plenty of time to grow and improve on both ends of the floor.
James Wiseman was the No.1 overall prospect coming out of high school and was ready to dominate for the University of Memphis. Unfortunately, his college career only lasted three games as he withdrew from Memphis following a controversial NCAA suspension.
The Wolves already have Towns, who is one of the best centers in the NBA, so drafting another center with the first overall pick seems unlikely. However, Rosas stated that the Wolves would take the best player available regardless of position. The only chance that Wiseman ends up wearing a Timberwolves uniform is if the Wolves’ front office becomes infatuated with him, but his small sample size in college makes scouts question his ability to perform in the NBA.
If the Timberwolves don’t love any of these players, they do have the option to trade back.
2. Trade back and gain young assets
The last time a team traded out of the first overall pick was in 2018 when the Boston Celtics traded the No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for the third overall pick and a future first round pick. The Orlando Magic traded Chris Webber to the Golden State Warriors for the third pick and three future first round picks in 1993.
The Timberwolves already have two first round picks this year, making it unlikely Rosas would want to acquire more picks in this year’s draft. Even though the Timberwolves could model themselves after the Celtics, they may not want to wait for a future pick to develop, especially with Russell and Towns entering their primes. However, the Wolves could look to regain the first round pick they traded to the Warriors at the trade deadline.
Speaking of Golden State, the Warriors also have interest in trading their pick. The Timberwolves have the advantage as they have a better pick, but a competition for a top selection in a weak draft class drives the trade value down for both teams. Hopefully, a team like the Hawks, Knicks, or Hornets fall in love with one player and offer a plethora of assets and picks like the Warriors did in 1993.
If the Timberwolves are in “win now mode,” then they might try flipping their pick for another star.
3. Trade for a third star to pair with Russell and Towns
Out of the 22 teams invited back to the NBA restart, 13 of them were from the Western Conference. This means the Timberwolves have significant ground to make up. If the Timberwolves don’t love any of the top prospects and want to win now, then they should start calling teams about their star players.
While teams are not putting “For Sale” signs on their best players during the playoffs, a package of the No. 1 pick plus some young prospects could intrigue some front offices.
Devin Booker trade rumors sparked after the Timberwolves acquired Russell at the trade deadline. While Timberwolves fans dream of creating the Slam magazine cover in Minnesota, the Suns will be reluctant to trade Booker after going undefeated in the bubble.
The 76ers could look to tear it down after being swept by the Celtics, and the Timberwolves could take advantage of a rebuilding front office and trade for Ben Simmons. His lockdown perimeter defense would cover up for Russell and Town’s deficiencies, and unlike Joel Embiid, Towns can space the floor and allow Simmons to drive to the paint with ease.
The Wizards are stuck in a weird window. They have missed the playoffs the last two seasons as they wait for John Wall to return from an Achilles injury. Bradley Beal has become one of the best scorers in the NBA in Wall’s absence, and if the Wizards are interested in pairing Wall with a younger, less ball-dominant guard, then a package of the No.1 pick, James Johnson, and Jarrett Culver/Josh Okogie could land Beal in Minnesota.
Gersson Rosas has made one thing clear. He will do anything to improve the team. Since coming to the Wolves last May, Rosas has ignited hope into a desperate franchise.
