If you were waiting with white knuckles on the edge of your seat for the Minnesota Timberwolves to make their first selection, only to be frustrated by their decision to trade back three spots and pick up an extra first-round pick in the process from their NBA Playoffs rivals, the Memphis Grizzlies, you can relax and begin to breathe again.
The Minnesota Timberwolves traded their 19th overall pick and a future second-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for the 22nd and 29th overall picks in this draft
The Timberwolves simply had to wait for three more picks to be selected.
In the end, the wait is over. The Minnesota Timberwolves stayed true to their board and made a huge first step in the right direction, adding Auburn Tigers center Walker Kessler with the first selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. It may not be a sexy pick, but it is a solid value for the Timberwolves and a true need for the team.
Minnesota is landing on Auburn 7-footer Walker Kessler at No. 22, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2022
So what do we know about Walker Kessler? He is a true center, standing 7-foot-1 and weighing a solid 255-pounds.
This pick has Tim Connelly’s fingerprints all over it. The Minnesota Timberwolves needed: Defense, front-court help, and a playmaker. They may have hit the Trifecta in this pick, folks. He is a big-bodied center who can deliver the defense and rebounding that is so very important to the Timberwolves roster. He does his damage in the paint, so you won’t see him stray to the arc to try his hand at dropping three-pointers.
For such a big player, he does not commit many fouls, or does he turn the ball over often.
As far as shots in his arsenal, he can dominate around the rim and has the makings of a nice mid-range shot. From the description of what the Timberwolves were looking for? They most certainly have gotten their man.