Official 2016 Draft Thread

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

FWIW, Sid has been talking with Thibs a lot recently. He says Thibs is on a plane daily going to work players out (no surprise) and thinks Dunn is his first choice. Not my favorite move, but I could warm to his defense and strong character. As others have said, that's what's so exciting about this year's draft...so many different ways it could go, and I don't really have a big problem with any of them

[Monster]

FWIW, Sid has been talking with Thibs a lot recently. He says Thibs is on a plane daily going to work players out (no surprise) and thinks Dunn is his first choice. Not my favorite move, but I could warm to his defense and strong character. As others have said, that's what's so exciting about this year's draft...so many different ways it could go, and I don't really have a big problem with any of them

So Thibs throwing some love to the old guys? :) Wolfson and Jon K in reply to a fan on Twitter said they had no clue how the Wolves board was so they took guesses. Sounds like the same thing Sid is doing. So let's break this down.

Old guys:

Sid-Dunn
Walters-Murray

Young guys:

Jon K.-Buddy
Wolfson-Dunn

[bleedspeed]

ESPN Sports science on Bender. There are a couple interesting things here.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=16309924

I really hope we get a chance to draft him. We don't need him next year and would be fine going with Dieng and Belly for a year as he develops.

[Monster]

ESPN Sports science on Bender. There are a couple interesting things here.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=16309924

I really hope we get a chance to draft him. We don't need him next year and would be fine going with Dieng and Belly for a year as he develops.

I want him. He is #3 on DX top 100 which they updated Sunday. The Wolves could also add an inexpensive (or even expensive) vet FA to the mix to help out at PF also. Those numbers on Bender's 3 point shot were intriguing.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

ESPN Sports science on Bender. There are a couple interesting things here.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=16309924

That's great stuff, monster. I can't say that Bender is my first choice over a shooting wing, Russell, or a trade down for two players (still too much I don't know about him), but I can unequivocally say this...Bender is the choice I am most excited about. There just seems to be potential there for a legitimate superstar.

[MikeAz [enjin:6636981]]

x

ESPN Sports science on Bender. There are a couple interesting things here.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=16309924

I really hope we get a chance to draft him. We don't need him next year and would be fine going with Dieng and Belly for a year as he develops.

Nice video. I think if you're drafting for upside you pick Bender or Chriss, both have some off the chart measureables, but they also have some bust potential in them too. Dunn or Hield are much safer picks, I don't see as high an upside on either but I also don't see as much potential downside. It'll be interesting to watch play out.

[Monster]

Coach Cal says Murray would like to go to the Wolves. Here are the quotes from Cal below.

"Who is Mr. Towns?' Calipari joked. "That KAT kid? OK, well, here's what I would say. [Wolves president of basketball operations and coach Tom Thibodeau] and I are great friends. He helped my career, helped me basketball-wise and every other way. I'm a big fan of Thibs. Jamal? I'm saying this to you and no one else. He loves Minnesota. As a matter of fact, that's where he'd like to go.''


"I like these kids when they're the No. 1 pick because the No. 1 pick should end up coming here," said Calipari, who had players go 1-2 in the 2012 draft with Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. "So yeah, I like it. But these kids are also smart. And he looked at that situation and said, 'They need me and I'd love to be there.' And he's met Karl and been around Karl and knows what a great kid he is. I'm not saying Thibs has to take him. But I know that's what Jamal likes, that situation: The young guys and what they have and what he'd ad to that team.''

http://m.startribune.com/jamal-murray-wants-to-play-for-the-timberwolves/383805811/

[Coolbreeze44]

Coach Cal says Murray would like to go to the Wolves. Here are the quotes from Cal below.

"Who is Mr. Towns?' Calipari joked. "That KAT kid? OK, well, here's what I would say. [Wolves president of basketball operations and coach Tom Thibodeau] and I are great friends. He helped my career, helped me basketball-wise and every other way. I'm a big fan of Thibs. Jamal? I'm saying this to you and no one else. He loves Minnesota. As a matter of fact, that's where he'd like to go.''


"I like these kids when they're the No. 1 pick because the No. 1 pick should end up coming here," said Calipari, who had players go 1-2 in the 2012 draft with Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. "So yeah, I like it. But these kids are also smart. And he looked at that situation and said, 'They need me and I'd love to be there.' And he's met Karl and been around Karl and knows what a great kid he is. I'm not saying Thibs has to take him. But I know that's what Jamal likes, that situation: The young guys and what they have and what he'd ad to that team.''

http://m.startribune.com/jamal-murray-wants-to-play-for-the-timberwolves/383805811/

Exciting stuff - thanks for posting

[TheFuture]

Nice story about Prince and the life challenges he went through.

http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/taurean-prince-nba-draft/

Thanks for linking that, Prince is one of my 5 favorite players in this draft. Doubtful he ever becomes an allstar but I have no doubt he will stick in the NBA as a 3 and D wing, small ball 4.

[TheFuture]

Coach Cal says Murray would like to go to the Wolves. Here are the quotes from Cal below.

"Who is Mr. Towns?' Calipari joked. "That KAT kid? OK, well, here's what I would say. [Wolves president of basketball operations and coach Tom Thibodeau] and I are great friends. He helped my career, helped me basketball-wise and every other way. I'm a big fan of Thibs. Jamal? I'm saying this to you and no one else. He loves Minnesota. As a matter of fact, that's where he'd like to go.''


"I like these kids when they're the No. 1 pick because the No. 1 pick should end up coming here," said Calipari, who had players go 1-2 in the 2012 draft with Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. "So yeah, I like it. But these kids are also smart. And he looked at that situation and said, 'They need me and I'd love to be there.' And he's met Karl and been around Karl and knows what a great kid he is. I'm not saying Thibs has to take him. But I know that's what Jamal likes, that situation: The young guys and what they have and what he'd ad to that team.''

http://m.startribune.com/jamal-murray-wants-to-play-for-the-timberwolves/383805811/

Exciting stuff - thanks for posting

Out of everyone slated to go top 5, Murray would likely have the easiest transition here. Fellow Canadian Wiggins, Kentucky alumni in KAT. Man, how refreshing is it to hear 2 top prospects in Dunn and Murray saying they'd love to come play in Minnesota? Times are definitely changing.