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Minnesota Timberwolves: Trade the Pick?

By Paul Bellesen

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the NBA Draft approaches, a lot of people in the media have expressed the option of trading away the future lottery pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With the NBA Draft lottery in two weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the Minnesota Timberwolves upcoming lottery pick. Right now, they are slotted to have the best chance at the 5th pick in the 2016 draft. Some think the Timberwolves should package the pick with a player to trade for a proven NBA star. The team has a young core of superstars that are up and coming and just need to grow and gain some experience. A veteran presence would be beneficial for this young team.

Looking at this team as of now the glaring need is at the power forward spot. Gorgui Deing had a great season last year. But he has slow feet and gets beat on the pick and roll offense a lot. Some draft analysts, like Chad Ford, have mocked Henry Ellison to the Timberwolves. To me that is a reach for the 5th pick. I do not believe there is a power forward in this draft that warrants the 5th pick. There might not be one that warrants a pick until pick 10 and beyond. Watching this team last year, to me the glaring missing stat for this team was shooting from behind the 3 point line. As a team, the Timberwolves ranked 29th of 30 in three point FG’s made. They also ranked 29th in three point FG’s attempted, with 16.4 per game. They made 5.5 three point FG’s per game. That was barely above Milwaukee, who ranked last in the NBA with 5.4 per game. As a team the Timberwolves shot 33.8% from three. In the modern NBA, the three point shot is a very big part of the game.

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    • After seeing the stats from this year from behind the arc, there are some interesting prospects that could help the team in this area. Looking at Buddy Hield, shooting guard from Oklahoma, who had one of the best shooting seasons in college basketball history. He was the Wooden Award Winner for the 2016 best player in college basketball. Shooting 45% from behind the arc on almost 9 attempts per game. Hield plays with a high motor and is a dangerous shooter, something this team is missing. Another interesting prospect is Jamal Murray, combo guard from Kentucky. A one and done prospect who shot 40% from three on almost 8 attempts per game. Both of these prospects would be great coming off the bench, giving the Timberwolves extra fire power on the second unit.

    Of course if the Timberwolves won the NBA draft lottery it would be a different story. Despite positional needs or team make up there are two can’t miss prospects in this draft class. Ben Simmons of LSU and Brandon Ingram of Duke. Personally I like the upside of Ingram. He reminds me of a young Kevin Durant. Watching him this season in crunch time he demanded the ball and put the team on his back in a lot of games. But looking at the makeup of this team, Ben Simmons might be a better fit. Plug him in at the power forward position, and we would have a very dangerous roster. He played small forward in college but has the size and post up ability to play power forward.

    This team is not a piece away from a championship. It will take a few more years for this roster to grow and gain experience before we are contenders. Hold your horses fans. I know this team is exciting and is starting to gain some respect in national media circles, but we are not there yet. This is why I do not like the idea of trading the pick. Grab one of these young players and let them grow with the young nucleus we already have. Ask Cleveland if they would take a do over on the Kevin Love trade?

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