Minnesota Timberwolves: So You’re Saying There’s a Chance
What happens if the Minnesota Timberwolves get the number one pick in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery?
There has been a lot of discussion over the last few months about who should be taken with the number one pick in this years NBA draft. It is a two-player race between Ben Simmons of LSU, and Brandon Ingram of Duke. Both would be players the Minnesota Timberwolves could not pass up. Both are one and done college players and had great seasons last year. People have compared Simmons to Lebron James and Lamar Odom. Ingram has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant.
Throughout the last week, ESPN has been doing a series in which they discuss what they would do if each of the lottery teams won the right to the first pick in the upcoming draft. The newest edition discusses what they think the Timberwolves should do if they win the draft lottery. Here is what Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton had to say.
"Minnesota TimberwolvesBrandon Ingram Duke Freshman ForwardFord: In terms of who should be considered the No. 1 prospect, I’m in Camp Simmons all the way. But I think the Wolves will be tempted to take Ingram here. They already have an elite passer in Ricky Rubio, and what they really need out of their 4-man is a floor stretcher.More generally, they need a shooter. If Ingram continues to develop that jump shot, I think he’d be devastating with Towns in the middle and Wiggins on the wing.Pelton: Allow me to make the case for Simmons: We don’t yet know that Rubio will be in Minnesota forever. As recently as the trade deadline, they tried to make him the centerpiece of a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks for Khris Middleton, according to ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe. The Rubio situation illustrates how fit, although important, can be fluid."
In my opinion, I prefer Ingram over Simmons, but Simmons might be a better fit for this team and what it is missing now. I would love to take Ingram and put him play him as a stretch 4. We would have one of the best, if not the best young starting 5 in the league.
From Rubio to Lavine, to Wiggins, to Ingram, to Towns, we would present a lot of intimidating
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matchups for other teams. I know that Ingram needs to put on some weight and muscle to be able to guard NBA power forwards, but will he be able to get to that size? He has a nasty first step and a smooth jumper.
Simmons has more of an NBA body for the 4 position. He would be able to step in and play next to Towns right away. Simmons is considered a point forward, similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He has great court vision, but not much of a jump shot. He will do most of his scoring in the paint.
I think that Simmons could co-exist with Rubio. I see Rubio as a cornerstone for this team for the next few years. Milt Newton fielded calls for Rubio at the trade deadline, but that was about it, fielding calls. He told the Bucks if they wanted Rubio they would have to include Khris Middleton or Jabari Parker. That shows you what the organization thinks of Rubio.
With a new front office leader now hired we will have to see how things shake out. Tom Thibodeau has been known for working wonders with point guards who are great defenders. I think he will love Rubio.
Next: Trae Waynes: Not Forgotten First Round Talent
If the Timberwolves get the number one pick in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery, we will have to thank the basketball gods. There is an 8.8% chance. That would be an amazing thing to happen to a team with the longest playoff drought in the NBA. Let us keep our fingers crossed!