Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 reasons they don’t want the first pick
2. Point Guard heavy
If the Minnesota Timberwolves were to win the lottery, they would have an interesting dilemma on their hands. Do they select the best talent available, more than likely one of the point guards, or go with the best player that most fits their need?
I’m not sure what the answer is but given that the top of this year’s draft class is extremely point guard heavy, Minnesota would have a tough decision to make.
If they decide to go point guard, the obvious choices of Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball are likely to go one and two come June 22.
There has been recent talk as well, that De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith Jr. are shooting up draft boards and may go three and four.
If that does happen and the Minnesota Timberwolves don’t win the lottery, they would be sitting pretty at the sixth spot.
While a Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball would do wonders for the Timberwolves, it would create a logjam at a position that Minnesota is already heavy at.
With Ricky Rubio holding down the starting spot, and Kris Dunn and Tyus Jones demonstrating that they deserve at least some minutes on the court, the Timberwolves may be set at that position.
Minnesota has so many other needs they would be best filling one of those needs via the draft.
Trade is the other route that the Minnesota Timberwolves may go with their draft pick.
Winning the lottery would give Minnesota a much bigger trade chip and bigger overall return. Based on past trades of the number one overall pick, the Timberwolves should be able to expect an All-Star caliber player in return.
However, looking across the league, I’m not sure any team is in position to give up an All-Star caliber player in return for the number one pick.
That makes Minnesota’s negotiations that much more complicated as they would surely not settle and trade the pick for any less than what it’s worth.
In the end, it’s a much simpler route for Minnesota if they stand pat and earn the sixth selection at Tuesday’s lottery.