Minnesota Timberwolves: Truth or Smoke Screen?

With the NBA Draft less than 48 hours away, Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Tom Thibodeau and General Manager Scott Layden help their pre-Draft press conference.

Tomorrow night we will finally know the first move of the new Minnesota Timberwolves front office. As we come into the draft there has been many rumors surrounding the team and their fifth pick, especially this week.

Yesterday Thibodeau and Layden had a media availability session to answer some questions about the draft. Of course, we must take things said pre-draft with a grain of salt since the new front office has yet to show their hand all offseason meaning they will most likely not show their hand the day before the draft. We have to look at this like a Rick Spielman pre-draft press conference.

There was not much said by the new Minnesota front office heads, but there were a few snippets that were interesting.

With 5 NBA teams controlling half of the first round, there is sure to be some movement in tomorrow’s draft. As we have heard since the lottery, the Timberwolves are interested in trading their 5th pick for a veteran asset who can help them make the leap to a contender sooner than later.

Layden mentioned that there has been a lot of calls for the pick. He mentions that they are in a good spot to pick and teams see that making them interested in a trade to acquire the pick. The only trade that could happen for the pick would be one involving a key player otherwise, I imagine that the Timberwolves will use the pick.

It looks as the Timberwolves are looking at the need for shooting on this team and taking it into serious consideration. If you look into this tweet by Jon Krawczynski, if the Wolves are indeed looking for shooting, toughness, and work ethic, this might be a hint that the team is keying in on Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield. Hield is known for his shooting ability and work ethic.

"“When you go through the games from last season, you’re looking at a team that will probably be different next year,” Thibodeau said. “In terms of a draft pick, free agency and how the roster will unfold, I think we are ready for all the possibilities. We’re excited. We feel that we will get a good player and go from there.”"

Hield is my pick for the Timberwolves. He would be a great addition to the team filling multiple needs and giving the Wolves a dangerous shooting threat that will help space the floor for players like Towns and Wiggins.

Next: Draft Rumor Mill in Full Swing

We do have to take this all with a grain of salt as Thibodeau and Layden could be strategically saying things to throw off other teams to their draft plans. Hopefully, they are not lying about putting a premium on shooting, cause this team is desperately in need of an outside shooting threat.