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Timberwolves Draft Review: Good the Wolves passed on Curry?

By Max Neuhaus

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: The Minnesota Timberwolves reveal their new logo during halftime against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 11, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: The Minnesota Timberwolves reveal their new logo during halftime against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 11, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 24: Minnesota Timberwolves 2011 NBA First Round Draft Pick (No. 2 overall) Derrick Williams is introduced to the media by David Kahn, President of Basketball Operations on June 24, 2011 at the Minnesota Timberwolves Lifetime Fitness Training Center in Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 24: Minnesota Timberwolves 2011 NBA First Round Draft Pick (No. 2 overall) Derrick Williams is introduced to the media by David Kahn, President of Basketball Operations on June 24, 2011 at the Minnesota Timberwolves Lifetime Fitness Training Center in Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2011 Draft

I feel like I am starting to sound like a broken record here, but going into the 2011 draft, the Wolves were in a position to grab some elite level talent as they held the #2 pick in the draft. At the time, that was the highest selection in Timberwolves history.

In what is normally the case, the Wolves came up just short in the draft order. Kyrie Irving out of Duke was the gem of the draft. Minnesota was the second team in a one player draft.

Derrick Williams was a very exciting pick, however, he was immediately labeled a “tweener”. It seemed like his draft position was solidified after an amazing game against Duke in the NCAA tournament. He put up 32 points, going 5 for 6 from downtown, as well as 12 rebounds. The moments that everyone remembers, however, are the thunderous jams.

Just like in 2009 and 2010,David Kahn whiffed again. Williams never came close to living up to the number-two overall pick status. He only averaged 10 points and five rebounds a game on less than 25 minutes per night.

Also, as in the previous two years, current great players were left on the board. Kemba Walker (ninth overall), Klay Thompson (11th), Kawhi Leonard (15th), and even current Wolf Jimmy Butler (30th) would have looked great in a Wolves jersey.

This was the David Kahn tenure in a nutshell. Reaching on a player who looks good in his eyes instead of taking time to look at everything as a whole and make an informed decision. This would end up being the last meaningful draft decision he made in the front office of the Timberwolves.

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