The Minnesota Timberwolves could capitalize on James Wiseman buzz

The Minnesota Timberwolves should be able to capitalize on the sudden buzz surrounding James Wiseman.

For quite some time, the prevailing thought is that the Minnesota Timberwolves would pick between LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

After all, that duo was considered to be two-thirds of the top tier of prospects, and Memphis’ James Wiseman, the third member of that threesome, would be redundant on the Wolves’ roster with Karl-Anthony Towns present.

But finally, buzz directed at an individual member of the presumed top tier is picking up, which just might give the Minnesota Timberwolves the needed leverage to make a splashy move.

The Minnesota Timberwolves could capitalize on James Wiseman buzz

The Golden State Warriors pick second in this year’s draft, and while they’ve successfully made people believe that they covet one of several prospects, some of the latest buzz is surrounding Wiseman.

Now, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reports that the Charlotte Hornets, who hold the No. 3 pick, also “covet” Wiseman. Also reporting the Hornets’ strong interest in Wiseman is the Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell.

Additionally, O’Connor has heard that Golden State feels the same way about Wiseman.

Of course, this only points to the truth that the Wolves own the top of this draft and can ultimately do whatever they see fit. Just because Golden State or Charlotte covets someone doesn’t mean they’ll get that player, unless they pony up in a trade with the Wolves.

Now, perhaps the most surprising portion of O’Connor’s latest mock draft is that after the Warriors take Edwards at No. 2, the Wolves take Deni Avidja at No. 3 with Ball still on the board.

Yours truly is on the record as believing that the Wolves are likely to take Ball first overall if they don’t trade the pick, so if they trade back to No. 3 it would be genuinely surprising if Ball was on the board and didn’t end up in Minnesota.

Don’t forget: the Wolves are in charge. If the Hornets love Wiseman or Edwards, then then they’ll have to move to No. 1 or No. 2 to be sure that they’ll get one of them. The Warriors aren’t going to be convinced to trade up to No. 1, but all Gersson Rosas needs is for a team like the Hornets to think that Golden State is going to take “their guy.”

We’re still three weeks out from the draft. These rumors are going to be flying fast and furious, and it’ll be a ton of fun to see what Rosas and Co. can ultimately get for the No. 1 pick — and, if they stay put, which prospect they’ll end up taking.