Looking Ahead to the Draft

Hey all,
      As you know, the Timberwolves aren't very good this year. At this point in the season, they have the second worst record in the NBA and the future looks bleak for the Wolves. Considering this, I think it's safe to start looking ahead to the draft. The Wolves are all but guaranteed a top five pick, so with this in mind, what are their best options? Here are my top three picks for the Wolves, in order.

1. D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio St.- This is another young prospect, with plenty of room to grow. He is a versatile combo guard, who handles pressure very well. He can shoot the 3-pointer at an excellent clip (44%) and he can shoot the ball from just about anywhere else on the court as well (45% field goal percentage). He has excellent vision and passing ability, as well as solid decision making. At 6'5" he is above average height for a point guard, and just below average height for a shooting guard, so size should not be an issue in his transition to the NBA, regardless of where he sees play. His 6'9" wingspan also gives him the ability to disrupt passing lanes and gives him extra length to get shots off. His weaknesses include his strength, which he needs to work on in order to compete at the NBA level and finishing in transition. He also has a below average jumping ability and needs more intensity on the defensive end of the court. Overall, I feel like he could be a very solid shooting guard, as well as a solid three-point shooter that the Timberwolves have been lacking since the departure of Kevin Love and that he would complement Andrew Wiggins very well.

2. Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas- An absolute monster on the boards, measuring in at 6'11", with a 7'4" wingspan. This young man has an excellent shot from anywhere on the court, clipping three pointers at 40% rate, two point jumpers at a 44% rate, and shooting nearly 70% in the post (69.7%). He also shoots free throws at 89% which, for a big man, is well above the average. He also is good defensively, blocking 2.7 shots a game, which is helped immensely by his 9'1" standing reach. He also has very solid decision making, with a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. He has very few weaknesses, but the one that stands out is his athleticism. In order to compete an NBA level, he will need to put on some weight, as well as adjust to the height of NBA forwards. This should not be a problem for him, but it will take some time, so he will need to develop. Overall, he is a very well rounded prospect and he is someone the Timberwolves could use to help sure up their defensive interior. He can also stretch defenses with his ability to drain the three point shot, and give them a much needed interior presence on the offensive side of the ball, especially on the boards.

3. Justise Winslow, SG/SF, Duke- This guy has been wowing scouts with his elite level speed and athleticism, as well with his shooting and excellent on ball defending. His field goal percentage comes in at 43%, which is very solid and his three point shot comes in at 34%, which is serviceable for a starter in the NBA, and can be improved upon. The weaknesses he has shown include a poor free throw shooting ability, with only 57% at the line, and some consistency issues, but these can be worked out with practice and playing time. He also needs intensity to reach his full potential, something he has been seen as lacking. Overall, I feel he would bring a solid presence to a weak position on the current Timberwolves roster, and he would work well with Ricky Rubio, who is more than happy to let someone else to take the shots. Additionally, in combination with Andrew Wiggins, he could make an excellent one-two punch. He would provide some sorely needed defensive help to the Timberwolves, while providing a solid shooter as well.

In summary, I put the picks in the above order, because I feel as though the Timberwolves are much more in need of another ball handler, who can shoot the ball and distribute and take pressure off of Ricky Rubio, as well as add another shooting threat, or a big man underneath, who would give the Timberwolves a much needed defensive and offensive presence in the post, than just a pure shooting guard. However, depending on how the Timberwolves structure their offense going forward, things could look very different. But as things stand now, these are my picks for the Timberwolves.

Honorary mention- Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke- Any team who gets the first pick should be ecstatic to draft such an NBA ready center. There is not much else to say about him, other than that he is very nearly the real deal, and with some polish, could be an all-star. If the Timberwolves get the first pick, this is easily my first choice for our pick and this holds true for any team in the league.