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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 bold predictions for 2017 NBA Draft

ByBrian Sampson|
Nov 19, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau calls a timeout in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Minnesota 93-71. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau calls a timeout in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Minnesota 93-71. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Sterling Brown (3)3 shoots while surrounded by USC Trojans defense during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Sterling Brown (3)3 shoots while surrounded by USC Trojans defense during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

5. Timberwolves pick up a second-round pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves purchased the Iowa Energy this year and quickly rebranded them into the Iowa Wolves. That was an incredibly smart business endeavor by Glen Taylor and co. mostly because of the new CBA rule that begins this year.

The new rule states that there will be two added roster spots, bringing the total up to 17. These roster spots will be special though. They can act as go-betweens for NBA squads and their G-League affiliate. These players can go back and forth between each league depending on what needs the team has.

The Wolves are going to need players to fill those two roster spots and the cheapest and most convenient way to do so is be assigning newly drafted players. Unfortunately, Minnesota does not have a second-round pick in this year’s draft.

This leads me to believe that Minnesota will be looking to jump back into the draft after they pick seventh and look to add a player who can be assigned to one of the new roster spots.

One path the Timberwolves can take to obtaining a second-round pick is by buying it. Minnesota has a plethora of cap space this summer, especially if Nikola Pekovic is medically waived. They will use some of this money to buy a draft pick from a team who is cap-strapped and needy.

A team like the Houston Rockets is a perfect match for the Timberwolves to trade with. Houston owns two picks in the second-round, numbers 43 and 45. They may also be potentially looking to clear cap space and make a move to upgrade their roster this summer.

Draft Rights Table
Yr Tm Rd Pk Team
Lior Eliyahu 2006 ORL 2 44 Hapoel Jerusalem il
Henk Norel 2009 MIN 2 47 CAI Zaragoza es
Paulao Prestes 2010 MIN 2 45 Mogi das Cruzes br
Bojan Dubljevic 2013 MIN 2 59 Valencia Basket es

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Another option Minnesota has is to trade away the rights to a player who has not yet come from overseas. Bojan Dubjevic is perhaps the only attractive option as he was drafted with the 59th pick of the 2013 Draft. He would likely net them one of the last picks of the draft and is also attractive because he isn’t necessarily coming over to play in the NBA. It allows a team to save money this year with the hopes he might come over in the future.