Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking the decade’s No. 1 overall picks by potential
By Josh Tyler
Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking the decade’s No. 1 overall picks by potential
No. 7 – Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers, 2014
Andrew Wiggins, who was deemed Maple Jordan early in his prep career, was one of the most-hyped basketball players coming out of college ever. The former Kansas Jayhawk posted 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and a block per game during his freshman year at Kansas.
Then-boss Flip Saunders had his eyes on Andrew Wiggins from the beginning. Once LeBron James joined the Cavs, it seemed like a turning point for trade talks about Kevin Love. Ultimately, Love was dealt to team up with James and Irving sending Wiggins, Bennett, and Young to the Wolves.
Andrew’s career started off very promising. He stayed healthy, missing just one game in his first four years in the league. However, it seemed as though after his third year in the league his production began a steady decline. Of course, Wiggins is still top-10 in every major statistical category in Timberwolves history besides blocks. In NBA history, Wiggins is the 11th-youngest player to reach 8,000 points.
Although it didn’t work out in Minnesota, Wiggins will be a key contributor in helping the Warriors become serious contenders once again.
No. 6 – Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns, 2018
Ayton was part of the top-heavy 2018 NBA Draft, which included Marvin Bagley, Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson and Trae Young. Looking at that list today, you might do some rearranging, but Ayton belongs in the top three regardless.
In his just-completed second year with the Phoenix Suns, Ayton posted 19.0 points, 12 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Although he only played in 30 games due to a left ankle injury, the Suns certainly appear to have a big man for the future.
Ayton has only played 101 games in the NBA so it is hard to judge with much certainty, but he is also only 21 years old. He has many years ahead of him, and if he can develop somewhat of his outside game, he will easily ascend into a top-five big man in the game for years to come.