Possible Timberwolves Draft Day Trades

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Iggy might even be a bit of a stretch for Okogie. Remember that Iggy was the best player on that Philly squad for a few years and he was better than average starting his rookie year.

He certainly gives me hope as a guy that can be a defensive menace, but it's not only his outside shooting that's a problem on offense. His lack of skill going downhill in traffic was comically amateurish at times. Yes, he made some highlight reel dunks for sure, but if that wasn't available to him, he literally had no clue what to do. Squeezing shots off and converting in the paint is an art form that is largely instinctual and developed over many years on the playground and in pick up games...it's not something you can practice on your own really.

[Lipoli390]

Iggy might even be a bit of a stretch for Okogie. Remember that Iggy was the best player on that Philly squad for a few years and he was better than average starting his rookie year.

He certainly gives me hope as a guy that can be a defensive menace, but it's not only his outside shooting that's a problem on offense. His lack of skill going downhill in traffic was comically amateurish at times. Yes, he made some highlight reel dunks for sure, but if that wasn't available to him, he literally had no clue what to do. Squeezing shots off and converting in the paint is an art form that is largely instinctual and developed over many years on the playground and in pick up games...it's not something you can practice on your own really.

Yes, he'll have to improve his finishing in the paint. But I don't think his drives are as bad as you've described. And he draws a lot of fouls on those drives. He was good at drawing fouls last season and he was one of the best at it in college. I also think he has a much better basketball IQ than many suggest. He seems to see the floor well and make smart passes. Again, we'll see. I think he's one of those talented players with a longer developmental trajectory than others -- more of a Billups, Lowry or Buddy Hield.

[AbeVigodaLive]

So we're all reasonably to unreasonably optimistic about Josh Okogie. But at the same time... would Okogie, even with what he's shown, really go THAT much higher than he actually went?

In some order...

Doncic
Bagley
Young
Ayton
Jackson
Carter
Bridges
Gilgous-Alexander
Bridges
Huerter
M. Robinson
Shamet
Sexton
Bamba

Still not even a lottery pick...

I had Okogie rated in the teens last season (can't remember exactly where) and thrilled we got him at #20. I had all the above, except Shamet and Robinson, rated higher than Okogie back then. I'd still take Okogie over Shamet. And I'd probably take him over both Bridges as well. That would rank Okogie #12. He's one of 12 players from last year's draft who I thought then and still think have the potential become ( and a good chance of becoming) all star caliber players.

Typically, only between 3 and 7 drafted players eventually become an All Star at least once in their careers. Obviously, that number is even lower when you count the number of guys who became all stars with the team that drafted them.

Just for context... Shamet shot 42% on fairly high-volume threes in his rookie season, which would arguably make him the greatest three point shooter in Timberwolves history.

Both Bridges were drafted higher than Okogie for legit reasons and both had statistically better seasons. I'm not sure the Hornets or Suns are regretting those calls.

[Monster]

Iggy might even be a bit of a stretch for Okogie. Remember that Iggy was the best player on that Philly squad for a few years and he was better than average starting his rookie year.

He certainly gives me hope as a guy that can be a defensive menace, but it's not only his outside shooting that's a problem on offense. His lack of skill going downhill in traffic was comically amateurish at times. Yes, he made some highlight reel dunks for sure, but if that wasn't available to him, he literally had no clue what to do. Squeezing shots off and converting in the paint is an art form that is largely instinctual and developed over many years on the playground and in pick up games...it's not something you can practice on your own really.

Yes, he'll have to improve his finishing in the paint. But I don't think his drives are as bad as you've described. And he draws a lot of fouls on those drives. He was good at drawing fouls last season and he was one of the best at it in college. I also think he has a much better basketball IQ than many suggest. He seems to see the floor well and make smart passes. Again, we'll see. I think he's one of those talented players with a longer developmental trajectory than others -- more of a Billups, Lowry or Buddy Hield.

To me Okogie driving is a strength of his game. He has a certain instinct about when to fake and has some juice physically to get past guy and has enough ball handling to keep up. The problem comes once he gets near the paint and there isn't a clear path and then it gets pretty dicey as Q mentions. The one thing Okogie has going for him though is that he does make some pretty good plays passing the ball to teammates while going 100 miles an hour towards the basket.

To me the bottom line is he seems to be a guy that fits what this team needs and also seems like the guy that fits the culture this team wants to have. It doesn't hurt than generally speaking he was willing to let 3 balls fly. What is his upside? It really depends on if he develops and makes improvements. Some guys do and some don't. Only time will tell. I'm glad he is on the squad.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Iggy might even be a bit of a stretch for Okogie. Remember that Iggy was the best player on that Philly squad for a few years and he was better than average starting his rookie year.

He certainly gives me hope as a guy that can be a defensive menace, but it's not only his outside shooting that's a problem on offense. His lack of skill going downhill in traffic was comically amateurish at times. Yes, he made some highlight reel dunks for sure, but if that wasn't available to him, he literally had no clue what to do. Squeezing shots off and converting in the paint is an art form that is largely instinctual and developed over many years on the playground and in pick up games...it's not something you can practice on your own really.

Yes, he'll have to improve his finishing in the paint. But I don't think his drives are as bad as you've described. And he draws a lot of fouls on those drives. He was good at drawing fouls last season and he was one of the best at it in college. I also think he has a much better basketball IQ than many suggest. He seems to see the floor well and make smart passes. Again, we'll see. I think he's one of those talented players with a longer developmental trajectory than others -- more of a Billups, Lowry or Buddy Hield.

I do agree that he has nice passing instincts and his sheer aggressiveness will allow him to draw fouls. Still....he really struggled to convert shots from a bunch of spots on the floor. Anything from 16 feet out he shot 27% on. That's horrible and just begs defenses to sag off of him. Given the fact we're the worst franchise in the history of the NBA to develop outside shooters, hard to believe he's going to turn this weakness around. May be his next team!