Minnesota Timberwolves: Mock Draft Roundup No. 1

Welcome to the first edition of the Minnesota Timberwolves Mock Draft Roundup.

It’s the end of June, so that means that we’re analyzing the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ newest lottery selection, right?

That’s something like a dozen-and-a-half years of experience watching the Wolves draft early in the first round talking right there. Alas, because of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re instead gearing up for an October draft

The NBA Draft Lottery won’t be until August, either, which means we have nearly two more months of speculating on who the Wolves might draft at an unknown draft slot.

At any rate, there are a variety of websites out there putting out their projections, either based on the current reverse standings or using any number of draft lottery simulators to spit out unique draft orders.

Our own Dylan Jackson released his first mock draft last week, and now taking a spin around what a number of other sites are projecting.

ESPN

Pick No. 3: Anthony Edwards

ESPN’s mock draft wasn’t really a true mock draft, in that they gave each team a range of players who are likely to be available when they pick. (ESPN Plus account required.)

Minnesota was slotted in at No. 3, and the players that they should target “if they land in the top four” according to ESPN are LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Deni Avdija, and Isaac Okoro.

Mike Schmitz, the writer who penned the Wolves section, identifies that a D’Angelo Russell and Ball pairing in the backcourt could be … unpalatable defensively, and instead opts for Edwards if he’s on the board.

Somehow, there’s thought given to Avdija’s versatility here and Okoro’s 3-and-D upside, but not dynamic power forward Obi Toppin or any of the other higher-ceiling big men such as Onyeka Okongwu or James Wiseman.

CBS Sports

Pick No. 3: James Wiseman

This mock draft is, in fact, billed as a mock draft but is effectively more of a big board, as CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander acknowledges that he’s not yet taking into account team needs.

At any rate, Norlander has Toppin going No. 1 overall to Golden State and Killian Hayes going No. 2 to Cleveland. It’s absolutely a different direction than many mock drafts that are out there, but it would be a genuine shock if the Wolves were to actually take Wiseman at No. 3.

If the board breaks this way, the Wolves would surely take Ball or Edwards, unless a team is willing to pony up assets to get to No. 3 and take one of Ball, Edwards, or Wiseman — arguably the three highest-upside players in the entire draft.

Bleacher Report

Pick No. 3: Edwards

With Wiseman and Ball off the board, Maurice Bobb has the Wolves taking Edwards.

There’s a real chance that Gersson Rosas covets the physicality and upside of Edwards, but again, count me in the camp that believes that the Wolves would opt for a higher-floor player who fits the current roster.

In this scenario, options would include the aforementioned Hayes or Toppin.

USA Today

Pick No. 3: Toppin

A trio of USA Today analysts selected Toppin for the Wolves after the Warriors took Edwards and Cleveland took Wiseman.

This is where yours truly landed in a recent mock draft on the Locked On Podcast network: if the Wolves are at No. 3 and both Ball and Edwards are off the board, it wouldn’t shock me if the Wolves went with Toppin. However, there’s a chance the Wolves would take Ball if the top two picks fall the way that they did in USA Today’s draft.

The offensive upside of Toppin, an explosive and gifted scorer, combined with Towns, would give the Wolves four dynamic offensive players in their starting lineup. That might be too much for Rosas and Co. to pass up.

The other option in this scenario could be Hayes, who could play a combo guard role alongside or behind Russell.

We’ll be back with periodic check-ins on NBA mock drafts from around the blogosphere. Stay tuned.