Wolves 2017 Draft Thread

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Do we see anyone with that Johnny Flynn or Wes Johnson type smile?

Lavar Ball

[SameOldNudityDrew]

A couple random thoughts:

Fultz's FT% is pretty bad for a guard. Lonzo's not great either, but it's weird nobody talks about that with those two.

I'm starting to come around a little bit on Isaac. Just a little bit. Dude needs to add a lot of weight and strength.

I've liked Anunoby and Bell as defensive specialists. Anunoby seems like a Ron Artist kind of guy, but I don't know if we could ever count on his shot.

If KAT's really better off with another big out there (stats show he's not a very good defender unless Gorgui's been out there with him), then maybe Anigbogu or Jonathan Jeanne make sense. Although I think Anunoby or Bell as a big 4 could also provide some good D next to KAT at the 5. Again, I don't see a likely scenario for us trading down, but if we did, it might be cool to pick up a second because there are some interesting players projected for the second round (Swanigan, Ojeleye, Bell, Justin Jackson from Maryland, Thornwell) . . . I know Thibs doesn't play rookies a lot, or any of the bench for that matter, but getting a couple guys (Anunoby or Anigbogu or Jeanne) and (Thornwell, Ojeleye, Bell, Jackson, or Swanigan) would be kind of cool.

But I keep coming back to the fact that we sucked last year. Yeah, fit is important to think about, and we really need some key things (defense, toughness, and outside shooting in particular), but we just need to get the best guy. Who could that be?

If it's Isaac, I'm maybe warming up to taking him instead of Anunoby. I also still like the possibility of trading down if we really have a couple guys we want and think we can get.

If Tatum falls to 7, I don't like the fit because of concerns about his defense, but his offensive skill just looks so impressive for his age, it's tough not to imagine him being at least a good offensive player.

If it's Fox, man that's pretty redundant with Rubio and Dunn as PG with questions about their outside shot, but he looks like he could become really good so I guess you take him and figure it out from there.

If it's Monk, well that's redundant with LaVine a bit, and Monk's undersized for a 2, but LaVine is still coming off injury, and an instant scorer like Monk is a valuable player, plus he could help us stretch the floor.

[Monster]

Orlando has a new person in charge a guy that was the GM for Ujiri in Toronto. He seems to have a pretty good resume.

Orlando could still go with about any direction until I hear someone there has a preference of complete faith in a player currently on the roster. It seems like they should have a bit more of a formed direction with their guy hired now than just some interim guy running the show.

[Monster]

A couple random thoughts:

Fultz's FT% is pretty bad for a guard. Lonzo's not great either, but it's weird nobody talks about that with those two.

I'm starting to come around a little bit on Isaac. Just a little bit. Dude needs to add a lot of weight and strength.

I've liked Anunoby and Bell as defensive specialists. Anunoby seems like a Ron Artist kind of guy, but I don't know if we could ever count on his shot.

If KAT's really better off with another big out there (stats show he's not a very good defender unless Gorgui's been out there with him), then maybe Anigbogu or Jonathan Jeanne make sense. Although I think Anunoby or Bell as a big 4 could also provide some good D next to KAT at the 5. Again, I don't see a likely scenario for us trading down, but if we did, it might be cool to pick up a second because there are some interesting players projected for the second round (Swanigan, Ojeleye, Bell, Justin Jackson from Maryland, Thornwell) . . . I know Thibs doesn't play rookies a lot, or any of the bench for that matter, but getting a couple guys (Anunoby or Anigbogu or Jeanne) and (Thornwell, Ojeleye, Bell, Jackson, or Swanigan) would be kind of cool.

But I keep coming back to the fact that we sucked last year. Yeah, fit is important to think about, and we really need some key things (defense, toughness, and outside shooting in particular), but we just need to get the best guy. Who could that be?

If it's Isaac, I'm maybe warming up to taking him instead of Anunoby. I also still like the possibility of trading down if we really have a couple guys we want and think we can get.

If Tatum falls to 7, I don't like the fit because of concerns about his defense, but his offensive skill just looks so impressive for his age, it's tough not to imagine him being at least a good offensive player.

If it's Fox, man that's pretty redundant with Rubio and Dunn as PG with questions about their outside shot, but he looks like he could become really good so I guess you take him and figure it out from there.

If it's Monk, well that's redundant with LaVine a bit, and Monk's undersized for a 2, but LaVine is still coming off injury, and an instant scorer like Monk is a valuable player, plus he could help us stretch the floor.

Good point about those top PG's FT%. That's so bizarre considering how they shot other shots.

I've read a few articles and listened to a few podcasts (many are not Wolves homers) and so many people see Isaac as a good fit with the Wolves and next to Towns.

As for 2nd round picks...this would be a good year for having them because of the added roster spots with a d-league team. The thing is even if the Wolves don't end up with a 2nd round pick (hope they do) there are former 2nd round picks or I drafted guys that they could sign and could end up being really worthwhile and may be more ready to help the team being professionals for a year or 2 or whatever. Think about how guys like Danny Green or jon Leuer or...the list goes on of guys that were either drafted let go or I drafted guys that are now worthwhile players in this league. The Wolves need to start finding those guys and keeping them. That's what the really good organizations do. We need to expect that to happen.

As for players that would be interesting to pick up for our d-league team Ben Bentil is a fan favorite are here. What about RJ Hunter? There are going to be some interesting players that go undrafted. Thornwell is projected at the end of the 2nd round right now.

[Lipoli390]

I wasn't a huge fan of Hield as our pick because I thought he was redundant with LaVine. Same with Redick by the way....

If LaVine gets healthy, he is poised to eventually become one of the premier shooters in the NBA. His defense and play making abilities are still pretty poor, but he is probably one of the most effortless shooters in the NBA. As he matures, he's only going to get better. We'll some day forget about all the dunk contests, because he will be known primarily as an elite shooter when his career is over.

Dunn gives us two attributes that is truly scarce on this team: Defense and toughness. I do see him eventually being our version of Marcus Smart. I'm certainly not throwing in the towel on him yet.

I agree with you on LaVine's shooting, Q. But the Wolves could use some redundancy in the 3-point shooting department. And Hield can do more than just shoot. He has nice size, is a pretty good ball handler and was a decent defender in college. If Dunn can at least become our Marcus Smart, then he can be an important piece of the puzzle for us. And perhaps he can become even more. But right now, his offense looks terrible.

I mean shooting is nice, but if Zach is a two and people think Wiggins best spot is at two then when does Buddy play in the long-run when they are all healthy? Drafting guys isn't just about filling a short term need. There does need to be some level of fit and I don't remember Hield being big enough to play the 3 and none of the 3 can slide down to PG so you just created a logjam that you have to cleanup come the end of their rookie deals anyway.

Some people think Wiggins' best spot is at the two, but I'm not among them. I don't see Wiggins as a SG. He has the length of a SF and as he fills out his 21 year old frame over the next few seasons he'll definitely have a SF's body. No reason he can't guard SFs in the League.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The problem Lip is that Wiggins' length doesn't really translate into results on the defensive side of the ball. We've talked ad nauseam about his mediocre rebounding and lack of blocks/deflections/steals. He gets man handled by bigger wings. After three seasons in the league, he has put on minimal weight, so I'm skeptical that he's suddenly going to pack on another 15 lbs. of muscle.

That being said, I do think he can still play SF to finish games, where teams tend to downsize significantly anyway. It's the start of halves where I'd prefer to have a bigger, stronger lineup and a big wing defender next to him that can take some of the defensive and rebounding pressure off of Wiggins. Then may be he'll have the legs and energy to perform better in crunch time.

[WildWolf2813]

John Hammond is now GM of the Magic.

We might have to kiss the dream of Isaac here goodbye.

[bleedspeed]

John Hammond is now GM of the Magic.

We might have to kiss the dream of Isaac here goodbye.

Good hire for them. Wasn't he employeed by the Bucks as GM though?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

John Hammond is now GM of the Magic.

We might have to kiss the dream of Isaac here goodbye.

Yeah, Orlando has Hezonja, Fournier, and Ross under contract on the wings - all of whom are relatively young still - which means do they really think Monk is SO good that they want to add to that group? Or do they go for the high upside and versatile PF in Isaac, where they really only have Gordon under contract and he hasn't exactly been great.

We may end up having to choose between Markkanan, Monk, and Z. Collins and then potentially look to trade down.

[thedoper]

Dennis Smith may end up being are pick if Issac goes to Orlando. I wouldn't complain. I think his talent is going to be too appealing by that point even if it means 4 PGs on the roster for a while.