Should the Minnesota Timberwolves take Saddiq Bey or Patrick Williams at No. 16?
Last week, yours truly debated two prospects the Minnesota Timberwolves should consider with their first pick in this year’s draft. Now, it’s time to take a look at the No. 16 pick.
As part of the Robert Covington trade with Houston and Atlanta back in February, Minnesota received a protected 2020 first-round pick via Brooklyn, which will become a 2021 pick if the Nets end up missing the playoffs.
For now, the Nets are in, so it makes sense to look at some players who might be available at the No. 16 slot, which is where the pick would be if the playoffs started today.
Saddiq Bey and Patrick Williams are both combo forwards projected to go somewhere in the range of picks 14 and 20 in October’s draft. If either one is available, the Wolves should jump at the chance to add a great piece.
But what if both are still on the board when the Wolves are on the clock?
In this hypothetical, we’ll assume that some of the other projected lottery picks (Tyrese Maxey, Aaron Nesmith, Cole Anthony) have all been taken. Of course, there’s no guarantee that both Bey and Williams will be available, but for the sake of this debate, let’s say they’re both on the board.
The Wolves are strong at the point guard position, with D’Angelo Russell and Jordan McLaughlin in tow, and at center, with Karl-Anthony Towns as a starter and Naz Reid a favorite of the coaching staff, plus veteran James Johnson coming off the bench.
With all that in mind, a wing player, and specifically a “3-and-D” wing player, would seem to be an ideal addition. Luckily, No. 16 might be the perfect draft slot to nab one of two promising role players in Saddiq Bey and Patrick Williams.
Let’s take a look at how they compare offensively.