Wolves 2017 Draft Thread

[BloopOracle]

What if the bizarre happens and Isaac AND Jackson both fell to 7? Who would you guys go with?

[Monster]

Monster -- Great analysis! I enjoyed reading your post and agree with most of it.

I'm with Monster in viewing Isaac as the best the best pick for several reasons. First, as Monster indicated, he seems to have a pretty high floor paired with a very high upside. Second, he's a multi-dimensional player who can fill Q's "do-shit" stats as well as score. Finally, he has positional flexibility, allowing him to play the PF or SF position initially and eventually perhaps even the C position as he fills out. My one reservation would be his physical (primarily foot) issues. So I'd want a degree of assurance that he can hold up physically. I'm big on avoiding prospects with red flags related to motor/attitude or physical issues/injury history. Embiid is someone I would have avoided for that reason and I think history will prove me right. He may have a good season or two, but I see a short, injury riddled career in store for him. In fact, that's what we've already seen.

Unlike Q, trading the pick for a veteran would not be my first choice if. Isaac is available at #7. I'd rely on free agency to bring in an impactful veteran or two and rely on the draft to augment my talent poor for the long haul. However, if Isaac isn't available to us, I'm not sure what I'd do.

If Isaac's isn't available I'd be open to trading for a vet, but only if it's a Jimmy Butler caliber player and I don't see that happening. If Thibs is convinced that Smith, Ntlilinka or someone else has a good chance of being an elite player over time, then he should take that gy at #7 or trade down and pick that guy if possible. Otherwise, if it were me, I'd be torn between Markkenan and Collins. I see Markkenan as the safer bet -- a guy who will be a very good perimeter shooter with the length to get his shot off at the NBA level. He also seems to have a high basketball IQ which should help him adjust to the NBA game in relatively short order. Collins would be my higher upside pick because of his better length as well as his impressive rebounding and shot-blocking stats. But I think he's a longer term project than Markkenan and has a less certain prognosis. The good thing about both Collins and Markkenan is that neither one has any apparent red flags -- namely motor/attitude issues or physical issues.

I wouldn't take Monk. His streaky shooting and lack of size trouble me. His lack of size is particularly problematic given his unimpressive ball-handling. Small players only succeed in the NBA when they have "ball-on-a-string" handles. He's not even close and that's one of those skills that doesn't seem to improve a lot after getting to the NBA. I'm also troubled by his lack of "do-shit" production.

I still see John Collins as an intriguing prospect to trade down for. He reminds me a bit of Al Jefferson. You can't overlook his tremendous offensive productivity, especially his highly efficient insider scoring. I think he'll be a terrific inside scorer and good rebounding in the NBA. Unfortunately his game doesnt' fit the modern NBA very well. I've read a bit about his potential to become a good 3-point shooter, but I'd need to know more.

Thanks for the kind words Lip.

I think John Collins reminds me to some extent more of a Chriss only he actually did something in college. Sure Chriss already had some success as a 3 point shooter but both guys have a lot of athletic ability. I've seen a couple workout videos of Collins shooting 3's and it looks pretty good. In the podcast Elan commented on he still believes Chriss has plenty of upside. If Collins could hit a 3 or figure out how to not be a liability I think he could be a nice player. I'm intruiged and DX has him 1 spot behind Zach Collins in their mock which makes me think he is moving up plenty.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

What if the bizarre happens and Isaac AND Jackson both fell to 7? Who would you guys go with?

Jackson. He has a high motor. He has NBA moves with the ball on offense. He plays with great energy. I think he's the perfect compliment to Zach and Wiggins on the wing and can play either spot. You don't have to wait on his physical development. I think Isaac has a very high upside, but he's far away from reaching it. Jackson is much closer to his ceiling and he still has a high ceiling in his own right. I think he can also play some small ball 4 because of how aggressive he is as a help defender and rebounder.

[kekgeek]

I know there was reports that Jackson has gotten a promise from a team.

He has worked out for the Lakers and 76ers and will not work out with the suns.

Also reports are Lonzo Ball was out of shape at his lakers workout and it was just "ok". Go along with the concerns with his 1st step, shooting form and his dad.

If Jackson was promised by the Lakers it will be interesting to me to see how far Lonzo drops (could be just to the 76ers)

[Monster]

I know there was reports that Jackson has gotten a promise from a team.

He has worked out for the Lakers and 76ers and will not work out with the suns.

Also reports are Lonzo Ball was out of shape at his lakers workout and it was just "ok". Go along with the concerns with his 1st step, shooting form and his dad.

If Jackson was promised by the Lakers it will be interesting to me to see how far Lonzo drops (could be just to the 76ers)

It will be interesting if the Lakers pass on Ball. It really doesn't feel like anything is locked in at this point besides Fultz and who the top 10 or so guys are.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2713389-jerry-colangelo-says-people-around-lonzo-ball-are-challenging

-ESPN.com passed along comments Colangelo made during an interview on Sports Radio 94 WIP in Philly about Ball's ability and question marks.

"I think Ball is a terrific prospect and could have an outstanding NBA future," he said. "I think it's going to be challenging with the people around him, without being specific.

"And yet, I don't think teams should bypass the player because they have those concerns. At the end of the day, what wins in this league is talent, and this is a very talented young man."

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I know there was reports that Jackson has gotten a promise from a team.

He has worked out for the Lakers and 76ers and will not work out with the suns.

Also reports are Lonzo Ball was out of shape at his lakers workout and it was just "ok". Go along with the concerns with his 1st step, shooting form and his dad.

If Jackson was promised by the Lakers it will be interesting to me to see how far Lonzo drops (could be just to the 76ers)

I think the Lakers are blowing a bunch of smoke on Ball being out of shape and "just ok" (or some surrogate started the rumor on their behalf). We know damn well that Ball and Magic/Lakers are a match made in heaven (or hell, depending on one's perspective). They just want to make sure Boston passes on him.

Oooh, how I can't wait to see if the Lonzo/LaVar/Magic triumvirate eventually collapses in a heap of dysfunction.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

What if the bizarre happens and Isaac AND Jackson both fell to 7? Who would you guys go with?

I personally think neither will be available, but if both were, I have to admit I'd hesitate.....I see zero physical advantages for Jackson at SF. He has less length than Wiggins and weighs about the same. Does his skill level and motor give him an edge as a SF prospect? Perhaps.

Isaac is skinny as hell, but at least he has elite length. If he is able to add some more weight, he could play all three front line positions potentially. I like that. He also doesn't need to be a go-to guy (we have those boxes checked), but I guess Josh Jackson doesn't really need to be one either.

Color me undecided.

[MinneapolisMatt [enjin:18416495]]

What are you guys' big boards for the Wolves looking like?

Currently mine is this:

1: Fultz
2: Jackson
3: Ball
4: Isaac
5: Monk
6: Tatum
7: Fox

I'm sure Thibbs is way different than this, but this is how I see their impact to our team being ranked.

[kekgeek]

I know there was reports that Jackson has gotten a promise from a team.

He has worked out for the Lakers and 76ers and will not work out with the suns.

Also reports are Lonzo Ball was out of shape at his lakers workout and it was just "ok". Go along with the concerns with his 1st step, shooting form and his dad.

If Jackson was promised by the Lakers it will be interesting to me to see how far Lonzo drops (could be just to the 76ers)

I think the Lakers are blowing a bunch of smoke on Ball being out of shape and "just ok" (or some surrogate started the rumor on their behalf). We know damn well that Ball and Magic/Lakers are a match made in heaven (or hell, depending on one's perspective). They just want to make sure Boston passes on him.

Oooh, how I can't wait to see if the Lonzo/LaVar/Magic triumvirate eventually collapses in a heap of dysfunction.

What advantages do they get saying that. Fultz is all but decided being the #1 pick.

I actually believe that they might pass on ball. They have young guards and there are legit basketball concerns with ball. Weird shot motion, slow first step, very weak iso player because of the 1st step. Turned over the ball in 32% of PnR possessions (via draft express). Only 3% of his jump shots were inside the arc. He was pressed against Kentucky and fox and he had to give up the ball because he couldn't blow by him. And then you have his dad.

He is a very good passer and has great feel for the game but I am down on him in general as an nba pg

[kekgeek]

What are you guys' big boards for the Wolves looking like?

Currently mine is this:

1: Fultz
2: Jackson
3: Ball
4: Isaac
5: Monk
6: Tatum
7: Fox

I'm sure Thibbs is way different than this, but this is how I see their impact to our team being ranked.

I would go

1: Fultz
2: Jackson
3: Isaac
4: Ball (look to trade)
5: Tatum
6: Fox (look for trade)
7: Collins (would look to trade down to get him)
8: Monk

6 through 8 are pretty interchangeable based on offers