What the Minnesota Timberwolves do with the No. 1 pick will dictate what they do at No. 17. Let’s look at some potential scenarios.
There are many question marks surrounding what the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to do with the first-overall pick in this years draft.
However, what they do with the No. 1 pick will dictate what they do with the No. 17 pick. Let’s take a look at what the position the Timberwolves will try to improve at No. 17 based on the position that they add depth to with the first pick in the draft.
If the Minnesota Timberwolves select LaMelo Ball first in the NBA Draft…
…then the Wolves will need to continue to improve their frontcourt depth and 3-point shooting.
Earlier this year, the Wolves traded for D’Angelo Russell to pair him with superstar big man Karl-Anthony Towns. But after Towns, the Wolves frontcourt talent falls off dramatically.
Juancho Hernangomez, who came over with Malik Beasley deal, made the most of his time with Minnesota. However, he is not under contract for the 2020-21 season.
As it sits right now, the Timberwolves have Naz Reid, Jared Vanderbilt, James Johnson, and Omari Spellman as reinforcements in the front court. Spellman won’t be on the team next year, Reid was an undrafted rookie, Vanderbilt is entirely unproven in the NBA, and Johnson is on an expiring contract and could be dealt at any time.
The Timberwolves may eventually re-sign Hernangomez and look to add depth and shooting to the wing position. The Wolves shot 39.7 3-pointers per game, third-most in the league, and made them at a 33.6 percent clip, which is third-worst in the league
Russell and Towns playing together everyday will certainly help the team’s poor shooting percentage, but they can’t do it all themselves.
That means…
If LaMelo Ball goes No. 1, the Timberwolves should take Aaron Nesmith at No. 17
Nesmith is generally labeled as the best shooter in the draft. During his sophomore year at Vanderbilt he shoot an eye popping 52.4 percent from three while attempting 8.2 shots from range each game. He played in only 14 games, so it’s fair to assume that his mark would have most likely regressed, but the potential is there.
The Timberwolves would have Nesmith come off the bench which would help the second unit become efficient from deep. If the Wolves take LaMelo at No. 1, look for them to add outside scoring depth later on in the draft.
If the Minnesota Timberwolves select Anthony Edwards first in the NBA Draft…
…then the Wolves will be thinking for frontcourt depth, playmaking, and scoring.
Anthony Edwards has the potential to impact a team wherever he gets drafted immediately in several different areas.
Edwards’ athletic ability is something we don’t see very often. He has arguably the most upside in this year’s draft, and if he can find consistency in his 3-point shot he will almost certainly be a star in this league.
Again, the Timberwolves front court will certainly be a point of emphasis this offseason, but it will be interesting to see what the Timberwolves will do with the other guards on the roster. Jarrett Culver was No. 6 pick just last year and plays the 2. Two years ago, the Wolves drafted Josh Okogie. They just trade for Malik Beasley.
If the Timberwolves select Anthony Edwards first overall, it’s possible that they would decide to pass on re-signing Beasley.
If Anthony Edwards goes No. 1, the Timberwolves should take Tyrese Maxey at No. 17
Maxey held his pro day with Anthony Edwards on Oct. 29 and made his potential known.
The Kentucky prospect says that he is “shooting the ball with confidence and doing a lot more things off the dribble.”
Maxey has the potential to be a tremendous leader off the bench for the Timberwolves. He’s is an athletic guard that excels in multiple facets of the game, and the Wolves would get a steal with him at 17.
Kentucky’s head coach says that teams the pass on Maxey will get the “Jamal Murray effect”. Hopefully that isn’t the Wolves — again.
If the Minnesota Timberwolves select LaMelo Ball third in the NBA Draft…
…they would need too improve their frontcourt depth.
Lamelo Ball at No. 3 overall? Is this even possible? Yes, yes it is.
If the Timberwolves were to trade the No. 1 pick to the Charlotte Hornets for the No. 3 selection, it is extremely likely that LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards would still be available with the third pick.
Why not just take Ball with the first overall pick, you may ask? The Hornets are loaded with young talent, and with their likely unwillingness to deal Devonte’ Graham, the Wolves might be able to get the likes of PJ Washington or Miles Bridges in a deal with Charlotte.
During Washington’s rookie year with the Hornets, he averaged 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks a game. Washington also shot 37 percent from the deep. If the Timberwolves were able to somehow aquire Washington without giving up the No. 17 pick as well, that would be fantastic.
In the event that such a trade happens…
If LaMelo Ball goes No. 3, the Timberwolves should draft Saddiq Bey at No. 17
Saddiq Bey is a player flying under the radar at the moment, but is the exact 3-and-D player that the Timberwolves are looking for.
Bey stands 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, giving him the ability to guard multiple positions. Bey’s length would help with getting into the passing lanes and starting fastbreaks with a Timberwolves team that is going to be scoring a lot of points.
Nevertheless, if the Timberwolves were to trade the No. 1 overall pick, look for them to get something of value in return and still try to hold onto pick No. 17.