Draft prospects - Who do we want?

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

If we take a Towns or WCS, where is our frontcourt offense coming from? Chandler worked in Dallas because he had a HOF scorer next to him. I don't think Wiggins is a 25 PPG guy and even if he became that who is joining him? Lavine? With Ricky as the PG and WCS or Towns at the 5 that is going to mean most of our scoring will have to come from the 2-4. Philly is a good defensive team but they suck because they have no offense. We still need one more big time scorer minimum and it'd be nice if it was Lavine but we'd still need a front court scorer. It would never happen but Ricky, Lavine, Wiggins, Love, WCS would be a very well balanced team.

[Coolbreeze44]

Russell had a very poor shooting game, but in terms of basketball skills, he's hands down better than Stanley Johnson. In fact, Johnson might not even be the best player on his team. For a guy so big and strong, he seems to really struggle finishing in the paint.

At this point, I would be really hard-pressed to take Johnson, even if we drop to #5 or 6.

I agree. Not being a good shooter or being able to finish in the paint. That is not a good combination in today's NBA.

If the Wolves end up lower than 3, they will hopefully take a long look at Cauley-Stein. Anyone else a fan?

Big fan here. Love his activity level and smarts. I see Noah in him.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Meh. Somehow the new narrative on the board is that Towns can't score. Good job, khans. That one's your doing for the most part.

I want a guy that's gonna impact the game everywhere while having the potential to be an 18-20 PPG scorer as well. That's what stars do and Towns is the only guy in the draft with that type of ability. Russell comes next in that regard, but his defense isn't necessarily a strength.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Meh. Somehow the new narrative on the board is that Towns can't score. Good job, khans. That one's your doing for the most part.

I want a guy that's gonna impact the game everywhere while having the potential to be an 18-20 PPG scorer as well. That's what stars do and Towns is the only guy in the draft with that type of ability. Russell comes next in that regard, but his defense isn't necessarily a strength.

It's pretty simple how that narrative came to be for me. He's not close to that in college and yet add that to the list of stuff that he's just going to start doing at the next level for you. He's not creating his offense off the dribble like Davis can so I don't see how he jumps from 10 PPG to 18-20. Even if you bump his minutes to 30 that's still only a projected 15 PPG in college, not the pros. Comparatively Okafor is averaging 18 per game in 30 minutes and he's doing it at an elite efficiency level. Towns' highest scoring games against ranked opponents was 10 against Louisville and Texas (when they were ranked). He hit 18 PPG> just 4 times this year and 1 tourney game against a small frontline. There's only 3 C's in the league at 18 PPG> (I included Gasol with his 17.8 ), so your assumption is Towns will be a top 3 offensive C in the league which is even higher than Al Jefferson, Al Horford and Brook Lopez. So I apologize for doubting your reasonable expectation.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Here's an interesting thought. Have we learned nothing by Rudy Gobert's presence on Utah? Since the AS break, probably since Gobert started getting big minutes really, the Utah Jazz have been the best defensive team in the league. Why is that? He alters a ton of shots in the paint. The guy's long and rangy. I'm not saying Towns is going to have that impact in his rookie season, but the guy's a difference-maker as a shot blocker. I still believe Rubio's a very good defender at the PG position, and Wiggins has the potential to be tough to beat on defense as well. Towns could be the huge piece to the turnaround of our defense in the coming years.

Here's another thought: would you guys trade Kevin Martin and Gorgui Dieng for Taj Gibson and Tony Snell?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

If you wanna compare stats, go check out Towns compared to the likes of Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge is actually really nice prospect comparison for Towns. I was watching some Texas footage the other day. Their pros and cons are relatively the same, but Towns is a better shot-blocker hands down.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Here's an interesting thought. Have we learned nothing by Rudy Gobert's presence on Utah? Since the AS break, probably since Gobert started getting big minutes really, the Utah Jazz have been the best defensive team in the league. Why is that? He alters a ton of shots in the paint. The guy's long and rangy. I'm not saying Towns is going to have that impact in his rookie season, but the guy's a difference-maker as a shot blocker. I still believe Rubio's a very good defender at the PG position, and Wiggins has the potential to be tough to beat on defense as well. Towns could be the huge piece to the turnaround of our defense in the coming years.

Here's another thought: would you guys trade Kevin Martin and Gorgui Dieng for Taj Gibson and Tony Snell?

Would love to have Gibson at PF for us.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

The problem with Towns offense is he hasn't had to do much in college. He may have a mid range game, but have we consistently seen it from game to game? He has shown a nice jump hook down low. He can get good positioning down low. He hasn't shown that he can be a 20+ PPG scorer. I think he will end up being a 15-18 PPG guy in the league. But if he plays great defense and rebounds the crap out of the ball like he does in college then he is worthy of a high pick.

I agree with your point on a great defensive C. That's why I like Stien so much. His defensive ability and great athleticism makes him a fall back option for me. Look at how Kentucky's perimeter defenders can go out and challenge their man knowing that a couple of 7's are waiting in the paint to challenge them. A great defensive big allows other guys to be aggressive on defense.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Russell had a very poor shooting game, but in terms of basketball skills, he's hands down better than Stanley Johnson. In fact, Johnson might not even be the best player on his team. For a guy so big and strong, he seems to really struggle finishing in the paint.

At this point, I would be really hard-pressed to take Johnson, even if we drop to #5 or 6.

Even after his horrible game yesterday (I only saw the box score...ouch), I'm still really high on Johnson...still have him ranked ahead of Mudiay. Q, I assume from his line today and your comment that Stanley had an awful game in the paint today, but that has not been my observation all year. I've watched him about 6-7 times this year, and I would evaluate him as one of the best finishers I have seen in college...really good at absorbing contact and finishing. That's how he made 45% of his shots despite a jump shot that still tends to be a little flat. And to me he's the most impactful defensive player in college this year too.

Q, I also think I read a comment by you saying something to the effect that we overrate his NBA-ready body because there is little upside for him physically. I think that's unfair. He's only 18, and still has room to get stronger...maybe even taller. But what's really important here is that he doesn't need to get bigger to play in the NBA. How many times do we say a player will be better once he hits the weight room and fills out, and then they seldom do? Give me the guy who can dominate physically right now every time.

Arizona is good, so we should get a chance to watch Johnson against Xavier and Wisconsin...maybe against Kentucky too. Let's see if he can turn things around after such a poor game, and play more like he did in the opening round.

[DNatagal]

I have been thinking WCS is the next Tyson Chandler.... And I would love to have him on the Wolves roster next year. He doesn't need the offense run thru him... But gets rebounds, lob -oops and hustles on offense... And his defense is ++... He takes on guards anywhere on the court and matches them step for step. He knows the game. I would almost rather trade down and double up a couple picks get WCS and another big, say Kaminski. That would be interesting.