Minnesota Timberwolves: Highlights from the NBA Draft Combine

The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the No. 11 pick in June’s draft. The NBA Draft Combine is taking place in Chicago and the Wolves are getting their first in-person look at a number of prospects.

After the top couple of picks, which already seem to be predetermined, almost anything could happen in this year’s NBA Draft.

The Minnesota Timberwolves won’t make their selection until No. 11, so they’ll need to prepare for any number of scenarios and have plenty of contingency plans in place.

As of now, the various mock drafts you’ll find around the internet have somewhat of a consensus regarding who might be available in a general range surrounding the No. 11 pick.

Additionally, new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas will have to determine what his draft strategy will be. Are the Wolves going to target the skills they need most in perimeter defense and shooting? Or will he hone in on the position at which they are thinnest; all four of their point guards from last season will be hitting free agency.

Or, will Rosas simply look for the best player available? That’s a solid strategy for the teams picking at the very top of the draft, as they have the greatest dearth of talent and there is typically a clear top one or two tiers when it comes to draft prospects. But at No. 11, the Wolves could afford to be a bit more picky.

That said, Kyle Ratke at Timberwolves.com chose to zero in on some of the guys that the mock draft consensus has focused upon, and the first couple of days’ worth of coverage at the Wolves’ home site has been solid.

On Day One, Ratke spoke with Gonzaga forward Brandon Clarke about the prospect of playing alongside All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as about the concerns surrounding Clarke’s shooting.

Ratke also had short write-ups on Texas center Jaxon Hayes (often mocked in the No. 10 to 13 range), Stanford forward KZ Okpala (likely to be picked towards the end of the first round), and Virginia guard Kyle Guy, who will almost certainly be a second-round pick.

On Day Two, Ratke talked to oft-injured Missouri star Jontay Porter, who has torn his ACL twice over the past year-plus. Porter seems likely to be picked in the second round but could go undrafted entirely.

Ratke also highlighted Indiana wing Romeo Langford and Kentucky guard Tyler Herro, each of whom projects to be a late lottery pick and will almost certainly be on the board at No. 11.

There’s also another quick interview with Rosas at the above link if you haven’t yet gotten your fill of the Wolves’ new boss. Also important: Rosas wore a blazer to the combine, so you know he means business.

We’ll be back with a bit more of a breakdown on Rosas’ first two weeks on the job, as well as any pertinent combine or coaching news that breaks over the weekend.