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Minnesota Timberwolves: History of the 17th overall pick

By Dylan Jackson

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: With two seconds left on the game clock and the Seattle Supersonics down by three points, the Detroit Pistons' Aaron McKie (R) steals the ball from the Supersonics' Shawn Kemp (L) ending the game, 16 March at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. McKie had five steals as the Pistons beat the Sonics 86-83. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: With two seconds left on the game clock and the Seattle Supersonics down by three points, the Detroit Pistons' Aaron McKie (R) steals the ball from the Supersonics' Shawn Kemp (L) ending the game, 16 March at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. McKie had five steals as the Pistons beat the Sonics 86-83. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves own the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, in addition to the first and 33rd overall selections.

In recent memory, the 17th overall pick has produced some interesting role players, but historically, there have been multiple players that have made multiple all-star appearances. The Minnesota Timberwolves hold that pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Over the course of the past five years, there has only been one player that looks to be a player that can make an impact on a playoff team: Donte DiVincenzo (2018). Others selected in recent memory are Nickeil Alexander-Walker (2019), DJ Wilson (2017), and Wade Baldwin (2016).

The best active player that was selected with the 17th selection is Pelicans’ star Jrue Holiday, who was picked in 2009. Dennis Schroder (2013) is another key contributor for a playoff team, although he is coming off of the bench as the sixth man for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Roy Hibbert (2008), though he is out of the league now, had multiple All-Star appearances for the Indiana Pacers before disappearing from the NBA because of a shift in leaguewide play style.

Historically, the one of the best players to come from the 17th overall pick is Shawn Kemp, who was picked in 1989. Kemp averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists throughout the course of his career. He was selected to six All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams. Kemp is best known for his years on the Gary Payton–Detlef Schrempf–Kendall Gill Supersonics teams.

Another historically great player that was selected with the 17th selection was Jermaine O’Neal, who made six All-Star appearances alongside three All-NBA selections. Originally picked by the Portland Trail Blazers, O’Neal is best known for his time on the Indiana Pacers, where he averaged 18 points, ten rebounds, two assists, and two blocks per game.

Currently projected to be picked in the range of the 17th pick are players such as Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey, Arizona’s Josh Green, and Florida State’s Patrick Williams.

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While the odds of selecting a six-time All-Star such as Kemp or O’Neal are slim, the Timberwolves could very well end up with a high-level role player. Gersson Rosas has found unexpected value in the past, and he might just do so again, so long as Minnesota does not trade the pick.

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