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5 reasons the Minnesota Timberwolves should trade down in the draft

By Brian Sampson

Jan 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau yells from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau yells from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau yells from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau yells from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Minnesota Timberwolves currently hold the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. However, it would be best for them if they traded down.

As we all know, the Minnesota Timberwolves are slated to draft seventh come June 22. It is also widely believed that the Timberwolves are actively shopping the pick in return for a veteran who can help them immediately.

It’s also believed that Tom Thibodeau is already losing patience and doesn’t want to continue the Timberwolves historic playoff drought to 14 straight seasons.

If the Timberwolves are truly in a win-now mode, which I don’t think they should be, then trading down in the draft or trading the pick altogether would be a smart strategy.

Glen Taylor had this to say to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press before the Draft Lottery:

"I think once we get there, there’s always a possibility to do a trade or move up or down — probably down. You’d trade No. 6 for No. 15 or something like that and get a player that could help us"

That statement really speaks volumes for what Minnesota’s mindset will be throughout the summer.

If the Wolves do trade out of the seventh pick a lot of fans will be heartbroken as they have fallen in love with the idea of drafting prospects such as Jonathan Isaac.

Trading down also comes with the risk of missing out on a superstar player and forever being known as the team who traded him. The Wolves are already known as the team who passed on Stephen Curry, twice. Will they really want to take the risk of trading away the chance at drafting another superstar?

If Tom Thibodeau, Scott Layden, and the Minnesota Timberwolves do trade down in this year’s draft, here are five reasons they’d do it.