2023 NBA Draft: When do the Timberwolves pick?
The Minnesota Timberwolves currently possess just one second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Curiously, the Timberwolves do not possess either of their originally allotted draft picks.
The team traded their first-round pick to the Utah Jazz as the first of four installment payments for center Rudy Gobert, a trade that sent four first-round picks and five players to the Jazz. The Timberwolves also traded their second-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies draft night during the 2022 NBA Draft.
Later that same night, the Timberwolves traded away one of the team’s 2022 second-round picks for a 2023 second-round pick from the Charlotte Hornets.
They will make their selection at
Round 2 – 53rd overall pick (NYK, via Hornets)
So how did we get here?
Trades impacting this draft
The Rudy Gobert trade that was held after the 2022 NBA Draft was a pretty significant investment by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a new player:
The picks going to Utah, per sources: unprotected 1sts in 23, 25, 27, a swap in ‘26 and a top 5 protected in ‘29
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) July 1, 2022
But there were also several 2022 NBA Draft Day Trades. In round one, the Timberwolves traded back from the 19th overall pick and tossed in their 2023 second-round pick to acquire two first-round selections in the 2022 NBA Draft.
and later in the evening, the Timberwolves traded back once more, surrendering one 2022 NBA Draft second-round pick for one five slots later, and picking up a 2023 NBA Draft second-round pick in the process.
Now, who will the Minnesota Timberwolves pick? Perhaps more importantly, what are the Timberwolves’ needs for the 2023 NBA Draft?