Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

High risk could spell huge reward or big mistake for Wolves

By Tim Parochka

facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an opportunity to draft another cornerstone player #1 overall, but there is also excitement elsewhere. Depending on Flip’s plan for the draft, the Timberwolves’ could make a splash and acquire former Apple Valley High School and Duke University point guard, Tyus Jones.

A backup point guard is one of the Wolves’ needs this off-season. Simply unlucky or not, Ricky Rubio‘s health issues have persisted and whether or not his injury woes continue, a solid backup point guard is a must.

“I’m Coming Home” has been the theme of professional sports the past year or so: Cleveland had LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Torii Hunter (Twins) and Jordan Leopold (Wild) all “came home”. Will Tyus Jones be next?

Many Minnesotans would absolutely love it if Flip packaged some picks and a player to acquire Tyus Jones. The Wolves have a couple of second-round picks, as well as the rights to Nemanja Bjelica, the Euroleague’s Most Valuable Player. Scouting reports largely paint Bjelica as a point guard in a power forward’s body, which has been successful in a few places around the NBA of late.

I do believe that Bjelica will be a solid NBA player, but the Wolves already have a lot of players at his position. Bjelica would probably have to be a piece in any trade in order to move up in the draft and possibly select Jones.

Tyus Jones stands at 6’1, 190 lbs. Tyus dominated the national championship game, finishing with 23 points and 5 rebounds and earning the award for the most valuable player. Tyus has a certain flow and smoothness to his game, controlling the tempo and largely staying within himself.

Jones projects to be an average point guard at the professional level. He’s quick, but he’s not very strong and while he has a smooth jay, it’s not lethal. He can pass well, but it’s not quite an elite skill. Tyus will play in the NBA and might even start for the right team, but he does everything just about average and at a replaceable level.

There is another point forward-type player from Minnesota that has had his own “demons”, but damn, if he gets past them, he will be good. The player I am referencing is, of course, Royce White.

Oct 23, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Royce White (30) attempts to steal the ball from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Royce White likely would have been a top-five selction during the 2012 NBA Draft if it wasn’t for his flying anxiety and other off-the-court issues. White fell outside the lottery and was selected 16th overall by the Houston Rockets but famously never played in a game for them. White did play three games for the Sacramento Kings towards the end of last season.

Royce White is a huge dude, standing at 6’8, 270 lbs. He is a good defender and he can play the point forward role in the NBA.

Royce White is also being mentored by a Former Timberwolves’ player.

It makes perfect sense. Royce White’s mentor is Chris Carr, and Chris Carr is currently residing in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Royce White is from Minnesota so why not play for the hometown team, the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Oh, and who coached Royce White in college that might become an NBA coach in a year or two? Yep, Fred Hoiberg…..IT’S ALL STARTING TO COME TOGETHER.

Take a chance and roll with the Hopkins alum or call me an idiot in the comments section below.

More from Dunking with Wolves