While we still don’t know who the Minnesota Timberwolves will take first in the 2020 NBA Draft, the oddsmakers are starting to agree on a selection.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been on the clock for nearly three months, and there are only a few hours remaining before they need to submit their selection for No. 1 in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The experts have vacillated between Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and even James Wiseman as the most likely player to be drafted first. A trade is still entirely possible, too.
But now, on draft day, the oddsmakers and experts are all seemingly aligning behind one name.
Oddsmakers: Anthony Edwards will be the Minnesota Timberwolves’ pick
If the last few months have been a bumpy ride, then the past few days have been a stomach-churning roller coaster when it comes to the top picks of the NBA Draft.
On the eve of the draft, Ball spoke confidently about his fit with the Wolves, and specifically about potentially sharing a backcourt with D’Angelo Russell. As recently as 72 hours ago, roughly half of the mock drafts still had Ball heading to Minnesota.
But now, in the day or so leading into the draft, the experts and oddsmakers are coalescing around Edwards, the presumed best positional fit and likely the player with the highest ceiling in the draft.
The shift was rapid, as noted by David Purdum at ESPN. The Action Network concurs, listing Edwards at -305 to be drafted first compared to Ball’s +205 and Wiseman’s +600.
Much of this is based on the latest intel from the experts, of course. Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo notes that the Wolves are still trying to trade the pick, and if they pick Edwards it could be for themselves or to trade him later.
Draft expert Chad Ford had Ball at No. 1 to the Wolves all along, but in his early Wednesday morning update moved Edwards up to the top slot. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has had Edwards No. 1 (subscription required) for the past few days as well.
So … is Edwards the pick? Will the Wolves trade the pick in the hours (or minutes) leading up to 7:00 p.m. CT? Will they take Edwards, Wiseman, or Ball and trade him moments later, or later in the evening, or perhaps in the next week or two?
Remember, players have to report to their home markets by Nov. 30 to begin COVID-19 testing prior to the start of training camp, so there isn’t exactly a whole summer’s worth of an offseason to make these types of moves.
No matter what happens, our own Dylan Jackson is updating our rumor tracker throughout the day, and of course we’ll have immediate reaction here at Dunking With Wolves on any selections or trades the Wolves make this evening.
Enjoy the draft!