Who should the Wolves draft at number 1?

[thedoper]

Im coming around on the Wiseman idea, provided hes not a head-case that will demand shots or be dismayed in his role in the offense. We've lacked a truly talented big next to KAT and its been pretty glaring that KAT needs that on D. Let KAT roam and chase, he can be the guard hes always wanted to be on offense. Give James the paint. Im fairly confident we can get a steal of a wing or guard at 17. Wiseman is also the asset that some teams would covet for trade.

[Lipoli390]

Man, if Gersson Rosas doesn't trade the pick and instead takes Obi Toppin first overall I think I'd either have to kill him with my bare hands or just walk away from this franchise for good due to a competence deficiency unlike any other. Toppin does absolutely nothing for this team.

Cam - I agree, although my reaction wouldn't be quite as harsh as yours. :). But I'm afraid that the Wolves will take him. I've seems some articles dissecting Gersson's post-lottery comments the other day. The most common interpretation was that he was signaling his interest in shopping the pick. That's a reasonable take-away, although I think some have exaggerated it. For me, the most telling part of what Gersson said on a season ticket holder call I participated in was his emphasis on getting players who "fit our system." That scares me think some have exaggerated it. For me, the most telling part of what Gersson said on a season ticket holder call I participated in was his emphasis on getting players who "fit our system." That scares me. It will always be my view that you bring in the highest level talent possible and then fit the system to those players. My fear is that Toppin appears to the Gersson/Saunders system, which focuses on running, 3-point shooting and scoring. I just have a gut feeling that they will gravitate towards taking him, which I think would be a mistake.

Yeah, to me that is a huge red flag. Get the best players you can and then score more points than your opponent. I don't care what system they play, just win and in the NBA you do that with talent. Don't screw this up Gersson.

Exactly, Cool! Gersson's repeated references to the importance of their "system" and "style of play" remind me of David Kahn. There are a lot of different styles of play that win in the NBA. As you said, it comes down to talent and, I would add, a head coach who knows how to get the most of that talent. If a billion dollars fell into my lap I'd buy the Wolves. The first thing I'd do as the new owner is sit down with Gersson and ask him what he means by "their system." Then after politely listening, I'd tell him to strike "system" or "style of play" from his list of considerations in player personnel decisions. I'd tell him to get us the best talent and make sure we have a head coach capable of getting the most out of them.

[KiwiMatt]

Excuse my absence from the board, its been a while since I posted as the depression of being a Wolves fan had well and truely taken hold. However news of the No 1 pick snapped me out of it. Although trust Wolves to win the lottery in arguably the weakest draft in recent memory.

In my opinion we should take Wiseman. I don't care about the fit next to KAT, he is the best player in this draft with the highest ceiling. Not a fan of Edwards or Ball, I would sooner trade down and take Okongwu.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Im coming around on the Wiseman idea, provided hes not a head-case that will demand shots or be dismayed in his role in the offense. We've lacked a truly talented big next to KAT and its been pretty glaring that KAT needs that on D. Let KAT roam and chase, he can be the guard hes always wanted to be on offense. Give James the paint. Im fairly confident we can get a steal of a wing or guard at 17. Wiseman is also the asset that some teams would covet for trade.

If Ben Simmons, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Bradley Beal, etc. are all unavailable for trade, I think the best-case scenario for the Wolves should they keep their pick is to take James Wiseman first overall and then use 17, 33, and any combination of Omari Spellman, Jacob Evans, or comparable young piece to move up in the draft for a wing. I can't imagine Devin Vassell still being available after the top-eight, and we don't have the tradable assets to get into the top-10, so really I'm looking at the 11-15 range for Saddiq Bey. Coming away with Wiseman and Bey would be a huge win for the Wolves front office, in my opinion.

[KiwiMatt]

Im coming around on the Wiseman idea, provided hes not a head-case that will demand shots or be dismayed in his role in the offense. We've lacked a truly talented big next to KAT and its been pretty glaring that KAT needs that on D. Let KAT roam and chase, he can be the guard hes always wanted to be on offense. Give James the paint. Im fairly confident we can get a steal of a wing or guard at 17. Wiseman is also the asset that some teams would covet for trade.

If Ben Simmons, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Bradley Beal, etc. are all unavailable for trade, I think the best-case scenario for the Wolves should they keep their pick is to take James Wiseman first overall and then use 17, 33, and any combination of Omari Spellman, Jacob Evans, or comparable young piece to move up in the draft for a wing. I can't imagine Devin Vassell still being available after the top-eight, and we don't have the tradable assets to get into the top-10, so really I'm looking at the 11-15 range for Saddiq Bey. Coming away with Wiseman and Bey would be a huge win for the Wolves front office, in my opinion.

Or Wiseman and RJ Hampton.

Hampton played for the New Zealand Breakers this season so I was fortunate to watch him quite a bit. He is already a very good defender. Offensively his jump shot is still a work in progress, but is effective getting to the hoop. I could see similarities to a young Victor Oladipo in his games. If he falls to 17 we'd be mad to pass on him.

[Lipoli390]

Im coming around on the Wiseman idea, provided hes not a head-case that will demand shots or be dismayed in his role in the offense. We've lacked a truly talented big next to KAT and its been pretty glaring that KAT needs that on D. Let KAT roam and chase, he can be the guard hes always wanted to be on offense. Give James the paint. Im fairly confident we can get a steal of a wing or guard at 17. Wiseman is also the asset that some teams would covet for trade.

If Ben Simmons, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Bradley Beal, etc. are all unavailable for trade, I think the best-case scenario for the Wolves should they keep their pick is to take James Wiseman first overall and then use 17, 33, and any combination of Omari Spellman, Jacob Evans, or comparable young piece to move up in the draft for a wing. I can't imagine Devin Vassell still being available after the top-eight, and we don't have the tradable assets to get into the top-10, so really I'm looking at the 11-15 range for Saddiq Bey. Coming away with Wiseman and Bey would be a huge win for the Wolves front office, in my opinion.

Or Wiseman and RJ Hampton.

Hampton played for the New Zealand Breakers this season so I was fortunate to watch him quite a bit. He is already a very good defender. Offensively his jump shot is still a work in progress, but is effective getting to the hoop. I could see similarities to a young Victor Oladipo in his games. If he falls to 17 we'd be mad to pass on him.

First of all, great to hear from you again Kiwi! Thanks for the insight on Hampton. I like the little I've seen of him in video highlights, but I don't know nearly as much about him as I do a lot of other top prospects in the draft. I'm intrigued by your comment on his defense and even more so by your comparison to Oladipo. Another prospect who intrigues me, but that I don't know much about, is Theo Maledon. I'm going to look for as much video and analysis of Hampton and Maledon as possible in the coming weeks to see if I can get comfortable adding them to my current list of favorites.

[Lipoli390]

Im coming around on the Wiseman idea, provided hes not a head-case that will demand shots or be dismayed in his role in the offense. We've lacked a truly talented big next to KAT and its been pretty glaring that KAT needs that on D. Let KAT roam and chase, he can be the guard hes always wanted to be on offense. Give James the paint. Im fairly confident we can get a steal of a wing or guard at 17. Wiseman is also the asset that some teams would covet for trade.

If Ben Simmons, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Bradley Beal, etc. are all unavailable for trade, I think the best-case scenario for the Wolves should they keep their pick is to take James Wiseman first overall and then use 17, 33, and any combination of Omari Spellman, Jacob Evans, or comparable young piece to move up in the draft for a wing. I can't imagine Devin Vassell still being available after the top-eight, and we don't have the tradable assets to get into the top-10, so really I'm looking at the 11-15 range for Saddiq Bey. Coming away with Wiseman and Bey would be a huge win for the Wolves front office, in my opinion.

Cam - You've pushed me to reevaluate my take on Wiseman. I'm just having a hard time getting past analyses that have questioned his motor. At least one analysis said that there are questions about his love for the game. I think the comment questioned how much he really likes to play basketball. That's a gigantic red flag. But his combination of size, athleticism and skills is hard to ignore. You've already convinced me not to be concerned about his basketball IQ. But the motor issue has always been a much bigger issue for me than IQ and it's the ultimate red flag in my assessment of potential NBA players. If you're right about Wiseman and my motor issue concerns end up being unfounded, then I have no doubt the Wolves should follow the strategy you've outlined. Moving up for a wing would absolutely be the right thing to do. I'd lean towards Patrick Williams because of his upside, but i really like Saddiq Bey. And with doubts about Wiseman, Bey would be more of a sure thing.

[KiwiMatt]

Im coming around on the Wiseman idea, provided hes not a head-case that will demand shots or be dismayed in his role in the offense. We've lacked a truly talented big next to KAT and its been pretty glaring that KAT needs that on D. Let KAT roam and chase, he can be the guard hes always wanted to be on offense. Give James the paint. Im fairly confident we can get a steal of a wing or guard at 17. Wiseman is also the asset that some teams would covet for trade.

If Ben Simmons, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Bradley Beal, etc. are all unavailable for trade, I think the best-case scenario for the Wolves should they keep their pick is to take James Wiseman first overall and then use 17, 33, and any combination of Omari Spellman, Jacob Evans, or comparable young piece to move up in the draft for a wing. I can't imagine Devin Vassell still being available after the top-eight, and we don't have the tradable assets to get into the top-10, so really I'm looking at the 11-15 range for Saddiq Bey. Coming away with Wiseman and Bey would be a huge win for the Wolves front office, in my opinion.

Or Wiseman and RJ Hampton.

Hampton played for the New Zealand Breakers this season so I was fortunate to watch him quite a bit. He is already a very good defender. Offensively his jump shot is still a work in progress, but is effective getting to the hoop. I could see similarities to a young Victor Oladipo in his games. If he falls to 17 we'd be mad to pass on him.

First of all, great to hear from you again Kiwi! Thanks for the insight on Hampton. I like the little I've seen of him in video highlights, but I don't know nearly as much about him as I do a lot of other top prospects in the draft. I'm intrigued by your comment on his defense and even more so by your comparison to Oladipo. Another prospect who intrigues me, but that I don't know much about, is Theo Maledon. I'm going to look for as much video and analysis of Hampton and Maledon as possible in the coming weeks to see if I can get comfortable adding them to my current list of favorites.

Cheers Lip.

Although Hamptons stats won't super impress you, he is one of those players that has a serious impact on winning games. Bare in mind he was playing in the NBL which features the best players outside of the NBA from the Australasian region. These are grown men playing in a very physical league and a 18/19 year old RJ Hampton did not look out of place. He had some great battles with LaMelo Ball and although Ball got the better in the stats department, Hamptons team got the wins.

I believe his floor is what Josh Okogie is currently giving us. His ceiling is a poor mans Victor Oladipo. Just look up "Hampton blocks LaMelon Ball" on YouTube and you will see that defensive hussle in the mold of Okogie/Oladipo.

[BloopOracle]

Trading for Ben Simmons would be my ideal scenario, followed by Booker and Beal. If we can't trade for any of those 3 then I am firmly set on drafting Anthony Edwards. I really like him as a prospect and have zero interest in moving down. If we would have fallen to 2 and it looked like someone else would take Edwards #1 I would be in the camp of trading down slightly and drafting Onyeka okongwu.

[Coolbreeze44]

I really don't think Edwards will be the pick. I think Ball is more likely. And even though I would settle for Wiseman, I think if we keep the pick we will take Ball.