Timberwolves Draft Prospect Analysis Thread

[Porckchop]

If that French kid could turn into Pascal Siakam I'd be just fine with that. I don't see homeruns in this draft aside from two players.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

If that French kid could turn into Pascal Siakam I'd be just fine with that. I don't see homeruns in this draft aside from two players.

Look at all the really good players still playing in the playoffs that weren't top picks. As much as I don't like this draft there's just gonna be one or two guys who come out of nowhere like Donovan Mitchell who will work their way to all-star quality players. I don't know who they are, but they're there and we need to find one.

[Monster]

You can't count KAT as the centerpiece makes his teammates better on offense guy yet and that's what all these remaining playoff teams have and most have 2. He's very efficient and scores as a number one option, but when the games are on the line the ball isn't in his hands and that's what we need. Do you trust giving KAT the ball 25 ft from the basket and say get us a bucket? Unless he all of a sudden becomes Giannis with his handle or Jokic with his playmaking he's an elite number 2 option. Look at the ball handling, playmaking leaders left in the playoffs and ask yourself if that can be KAT. I don't think he's that guy so I don't think we should be moving forward with him being considered as that guy.

The thing with him though, sure he'll never be Giannis or guard like with his handle, but you don't necessarily have to work the offense that way either. Many teams, maybe most are going to double KAT down low, sure it's old school but you can run a lot of your offense through him because he gets doubled which will leave other 3 point shooters wide open. If he isn't doubled then he is a beast one on one especially as most teams are moving away from strong inside defenders.

Of course I do agree we need another playmaker besides the limited mostly ineffective ones we have. The problem is, can you find a great playmaker at 11 who has elite offensive ability and talent. Giannis' don't show up every year. Besides Ja, I'm not sure there is one with that ability or ability to become that.

I'm not expecting 11 to fill that void, I'm just not interested in drafting a wing who doesn't have that skill set. We have Okogie, Wiggins and Covington. Playing time is already hard to come by on the wing and on top of that a how is a non-creator/playmaker really gonna beat out those 3 guys for time? Adding a 4th guy who doesn't have a good handle and good playmaking skills really does nothing to move the needle. I'd rather get a big to replace Taj's minutes if I'm getting someone with a limited skill set.

The problem with those wings is the only one that you know can shoot is Covington. I really like Cam Reynolds but...he could be nothing. I understand your thinking more now but replacing Taj seems so easy via FA. Heck we could just resign him I don't think he is going to command a big salary.

[Monster]

Did anyone see Clarke's measurements? If Lip isn't off the Clark bandwagon I'm gonna be giving him a hard time FOREVER about standing reach...ok who am I kidding I already do. It's just in good fun Lip. :) in all seriousness I'm gonna go against what I have said about other players not having some physical gifts but Clarke is older isn't a sure thing when it comes to defensive skill set and has the measurements of a SF. That's certainly a tougher sell. Tacko Fall has a 10'2 standing reach. LOL

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

khans, we practically had the same conversation several years ago when you argued that Murray wouldn't be able to create his own shot in the NBA.

I'm not saying your concerns weren't legitimate or that you haven't been right about guys before, but I think you're kind of pigeonholing Herro to be a 3P-specialist when he's not really that.

Again, Kentucky does have a history of hiding their guards' ability to create for themselves and instead operate in a systematic approach. The thinking is to force these young players to work on areas of their games that might not necessarily be a strength right now. For Booker, Murray, and even Herro, Calipari restricted some of their game in order to ensure that they grew off-ball. All three of them progressed in that area throughout their respective freshman seasons. We even saw Towns' game be held back to essentially force him to grow his post game since he was primarily comfortable working from the perimeter.

I just don't think you've given Herro too much though other than perhaps he's a good shooter therefore he must be a specialist, which tends to happen.

[Monster]

khans, we practically had the same conversation several years ago when you argued that Murray wouldn't be able to create his own shot in the NBA.

I'm not saying your concerns weren't legitimate or that you haven't been right about guys before, but I think you're kind of pigeonholing Herro to be a 3P-specialist when he's not really that.

Again, Kentucky does have a history of hiding their guards' ability to create for themselves and instead operate in a systematic approach. The thinking is to force these young players to work on areas of their games that might not necessarily be a strength right now. For Booker, Murray, and even Herro, Calipari restricted some of their game in order to ensure that they grew off-ball. All three of them progressed in that area throughout their respective freshman seasons. We even saw Towns' game be held back to essentially force him to grow his post game since he was primarily comfortable working from the perimeter.

I just don't think you've given Herro too much though other than perhaps he's a good shooter therefore he must be a specialist, which tends to happen.

Cam I like what you have laid out here. So I think when these UK guards are mentioned it's worth asking what do you think happened with Malik Monk?

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

khans, we practically had the same conversation several years ago when you argued that Murray wouldn't be able to create his own shot in the NBA.

I'm not saying your concerns weren't legitimate or that you haven't been right about guys before, but I think you're kind of pigeonholing Herro to be a 3P-specialist when he's not really that.

Again, Kentucky does have a history of hiding their guards' ability to create for themselves and instead operate in a systematic approach. The thinking is to force these young players to work on areas of their games that might not necessarily be a strength right now. For Booker, Murray, and even Herro, Calipari restricted some of their game in order to ensure that they grew off-ball. All three of them progressed in that area throughout their respective freshman seasons. We even saw Towns' game be held back to essentially force him to grow his post game since he was primarily comfortable working from the perimeter.

I just don't think you've given Herro too much though other than perhaps he's a good shooter therefore he must be a specialist, which tends to happen.

15/4/2 in 34 minutes a game in college. He's not like Towns who only played half the game. He played NBA minutes at the college level and put up ok, but not great numbers on a team desperate for someone to standout and carry them this year. He had a couple games where he did, but the whole picture was nothing special when the opportunity was there. You're seeing a lot more in this draft than anyone and a lot of it just seems like reaching to make it seem better than it actually is. I would expect someone who played as much as he did to impact the game more if he actually had it in him and I'm even willing to throw out the first half of the year and just factor in how he played in the conference since he was a freshman. And none of that even factors in defense which he's nothing special and jumping up a level having to defend elite athletes with no length. For every Towns and Fox there's a Monk and Trey Lyles so what about Herro puts him in the first class and not the second? The first two had elite traits and the second two didn't and I don't see anything elite about Herro outside of free throw shooting which is almost worthless for him because he won't be able to get to the line with a slow first step and weak handle.

Also Murray is not a great shot creator. He only gets 3 FT's a game and has ok, but not shooting stats that are anything special. He's still very streaky just like he was in college. The floater is the only thing saving him from being a bad creator. He works with Jokic because his game is a great fit next to him, but let's not act like he's even a top 10 PG in the league. He's solid, but I don't see him ever making an all-star game and take him away from Jokic and I think he gets exposed as a primary creator.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Did anyone see Clarke's measurements? If Lip isn't off the Clark bandwagon I'm gonna be giving him a hard time FOREVER about standing reach...ok who am I kidding I already do. It's just in good fun Lip. :) in all seriousness I'm gonna go against what I have said about other players not having some physical gifts but Clarke is older isn't a sure thing when it comes to defensive skill set and has the measurements of a SF. That's certainly a tougher sell. Tacko Fall has a 10'2 standing reach. LOL

I keep seeing people say that Clarke is the perfect complement for Towns. He's smart and switchy on defense. He works hard. And he doesn't care about touches.

[thedoper]

Herro looks slower than a lot of the non-athletes that have been successful in the league. I think Kahn's point that have someone who can break other players down off the dribble, get a good shot or create one for others is way more important for our personell than a player who's strength is catch and shoot. We have Saric and Roco who can both catch and shoot. We need a player other than KAT to get them good shots.

[TheFuture]

I'd be very happy with Herro at 11. I'd be very aggressive in moving up using Saric and/or RoCo for teams who are in win now mode.

100% do not even consider using RoCo or Saric to move up in this draft.

We are not in the position to trade cost controlled surefire assets right now. Especially RoCo.