Minnesota Timberwolves: The General Manager Game – The Draft
Currently, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the 2nd-worst team in the NBA, holding top-3 odds at getting a top-3 selection. For the sake of this exercise, I will not be running a lottery simulation, and thus keeping the 2ndoverall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft (at least, for now).
With Cade Cunningham as the likely top selection (to the Houston Rockets), the Timberwolves are given their selection of anyone else of the crop – and the pick is between Jalen Suggs and Evan Mobley. Jalen Green could also be the pick, but due to the Timberwolves’ existing talent on the roster (and positional breakdown), he makes the least sense of the three.
That said, Mobley is pretty clearly the more highly regarded player, and he and Towns should be able to fit in the frontcourt together.
The Minnesota Timberwolves select C Evan Mobley with the 2nd pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Mobley is an incredible defensive talent and would bring a much-needed presence to a team that lacks two-way players. Mobley would instantly start for the team and be able to play center when Towns is not on the floor.
Mobley’s ceiling as a player is as an All-Star, giving them yet another talented young player – someone that does not need the ball in their hands to affect the game. Think Jaren Jackson.
A starting five of Russell/Edwards/Beasley/Mobley/Towns is already fun in itself, even without the remainder of the offseason. That said, it would give a much-needed boost to a team that had a rough and unlucky year.
The Timberwolves only have one draft pick this year – but won’t have any if it conveys to the Golden State Warriors. The selection is only protected for the first-three selections.