Wolves Draft Thread

[Lipoli390]

If he had an outside shot, he would have been a lottery pick. I'm ok with a Gary Payton clone and maybe he can develop a shot and be a steal.

It’s not just that he’s a poor shooter, his shot is widely regarded as broken. And then there’s the Achilles injury. That’s a big unknown. Pick 54 went to my guy Isaiah Wong - ACC player of the year. That was the guy to take at 53 in my opinion. Defense is important, but this is a league of scorers and we need guys who can shoot and score. When KAT went down last season, Ant had to shoulder WAY too much of the offensive burden. What has TC done so far to remedy that situation? We had the 23 rated offense last season, down from 8 the year before. We can’t just rely on KAT being healthy. But the offseason isn’t over so we’ll have to stay tuned.

We do have FA yet and a few trade assets. I wouldn't be too concerned yet. Tonight went a lot better than I expected. Miller, Clark, and Minott are good prospects to have.(I'm not high on Moore at all).

I’m in sync with you, future. I like Clark and love Minott. I’m not sure about Miller, but he was a widely regarded as a first-round talent. I agree with you completely on Moore.

[Lipoli390]

I’m changing my tune on Miller too. . Again, I was initially disappointed that we didn’t end up with the guys I wanted or a good PG prospect. But Miller was a consensus first-round prospect. He averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds a game as a 19 year old in a man’s league.

I just finished watching a bunch of video of him and I loved what I saw. He doesn’t mess around with layups but instead dunks and does so with authority. He runs the floor. He plays hard and with passion. Just because he’s from Canada, I shouldn’t assume he’ll play like Wiggins. He wasn’t much of a 3-point shooter with the Ignite, but his shot looks fine. He’s obviously physically talented. The film confirms that, although at times he looks a bit awkward. But he’s definitely talented. What I like most is his energy and passion. I can see the common thread in both picks — i.e., they both play the game with effort and passion. Minott is the same way. You can see in the players TC selects the culture he’s trying to build.

I was initially down on last year’s draft picks until I learned more about them. I ended up really liking Kessler and Minott. Kessler has proved to be the right pick. I think Minott isn’t going to be really good. I’m on board with the Wolves two picks this year. We’ll see what other moves TC has in mind. My prediction is that the Wolves will end up with Tyus Jones. I’m not sure exactly how, but I think it will happen. Getting Tyus and these two picks tonight will make for a nice summer in my view. Would I prefer to see the Wolves move KAT or Rudy? Yes, but that’s highly unlikely. We’re going to run it back. Tonight’s picks are good longer term moves. We have Minott from last year. If we get Tyus and re-sign Naz, the summer will be complete as I see it.

[kekgeek]

I’m changing my tune on Miller too. . Again, I was initially disappointed that we didn’t end up with the guys I wanted or a good PG prospect. But Miller was a consensus first-round prospect. He averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds a game as a 19 year old in a man’s league.

I just finished watching a bunch of video of him and I loved what I saw. He doesn’t mess around with layups but instead dunks and does so with authority. He runs the floor. He plays hard and with passion. Just because he’s from Canada, I shouldn’t assume he’ll play like Wiggins. He wasn’t much of a 3-point shooter with the Ignite, but his shot looks fine. He’s obviously physically talented. The film confirms that, although at times he looks a bit awkward. But he’s definitely talented. What I like most is his energy and passion. I can see the common thread in both picks — i.e., they both play the game with effort and passion. Minott is the same way. You can see in the players TC selects the culture he’s trying to build.

I was initially down on last year’s draft picks until I learned more about them. I ended up really liking Kessler and Minott. Kessler has proved to be the right pick. I think Minott isn’t going to be really good. I’m on board with the Wolves two picks this year. We’ll see what other moves TC has in mind. My prediction is that the Wolves will end up with Tyus Jones. I’m not sure exactly how, but I think it will happen. Getting Tyus and these two picks tonight will make for a nice summer in my view. Would I prefer to see the Wolves move KAT or Rudy? Yes, but that’s highly unlikely. We’re going to run it back. Tonight’s picks are good longer term moves. We have Minott from last year. If we get Tyus and re-sign Naz, the summer will be complete as I see it.

Miller reminds me of Vando, lengthy body, who has a non stop motor, good rebounder with handles. I think Miller is more offensively talented but like every draft pick the shot is key. He shot 37% from 3 the second half of the year but boy does this kid work his ass off.

And with 2nd round picks I love taking huge swings. Hopefully miller goes deep with it

[Carlos Danger]

Julian Phillips also caught my eye. He's projected at #39 per NBA.com. Lip mentions him in his OP. But here's a link:
https://nbadraftroom.com/julian-phillips/

Again - I'm approaching this pick from a standpoint of prioritizing the following traits:

1.) Young guy (I don't like drafting older guys because I feel there is less upside)
2.) Good size for their position
3.) Willing defenders (I'm sick of all the one way chuckers)

I have no idea if TC has similar priorities. These opinions are strictly my own!

I fell asleep for the draft (I can only watch so many interviews and fancy suits). But I just read up on what happened and LOVE what TC did. He hit on all the criteria I listed pre-draft.

Leonard Miller. Only 19 years old. Great size and willing defender. Borderline first round pick who fell and we moved up to get him. He's a perfect project with big upside. The cost was only two future seconds. Great job!

Jaylen Clark. I had him as part of my Pick 3 post. A little older (21). But hit all the other criteria of size and willing defender. Based on scouting reports, he might be ready to step in and give us some tough defense sooner vs. later. Here's one brief scouting report I found:

"Physical specimen with elite defensive upside. Built like a linebacker and plays with extreme physicality on defense. Good size, long arms, wide shoulders with chiseled frame. Terrific athlete both vertically and laterally. Hard-nosed defender who should be able to defend any perimeter position in college. Best in transition on offense. Decent ball skills and can score attacking basket. Jumper is inconsistent at this stage and improving as a shooter will dictate ultimate success at college level. Projects as high level defender regardless." https://247sports.com/player/jaylen-clark-46046310/

I just love the defense/toughness. I was so sick of watching guys like DLO and Beasley chuck up shots and give zero effort on the other end. We have a couple of elite offense guys with Edwards and KAT. I don't think it will be hard to bring in a couple more scorers to fill out the bench. I'm excited to see what they find for UDFAs.

I'm happy!

[Monster]

The Wolves still need to resign NAW but this looks pretty good to me.

https://twitter.com/kyletheige/status/1 ... vZFquP67pw

“So in the end, the Timberwolves essentially traded D’Angelo Russell + their own 2028 second-round pick for:

Mike Conley
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Leonard Miller
2024 second-round pick
2025 second-round pick”

[Wolvesfan21]

I think that TC took some great picks. I think the NBA GM's do not prioritize elite defensive talent as much as they should. Both picks look to have high floors as they can defend and rebound at high rates. Now wether they become good enough on offense is the question and continue to defend and rebound well going forward which should translate.

[60WinTim]

Man, that draft left me feeling pretty darn good! Those are a couple of players that might be real factors for this team when the financial vice grips kick in come 2024-25 and 2025-26. Maybe the KAT/Rudy tandem can stick around for awhile!

Next up: Mike Conley's contract becomes guaranteed by the end of tomorrow (6/24), with Prince's guarantee coming up on 6/28. I expect Prince to be kept because he is a solid piece to keep, or a worthy trade chip, so releasing him doesn't make sense. Unless you have plans to use his $s in free agency by using the MLE and/or BLE along with the $s needed for NAW and NAZ...

[Q-is-here]

Glad you guys feel pretty good about the draft. Assuming we run it back with Gobert as our starting Center and re-sign NAW, it feels like we are really leaning into defense. DLO and Nowell were the last vestiges of awfulness on that end of the floor last year and they're both gone now. And these two picks along with last years' draft picks build a pipeline of young guys that seem to embrace that side of the ball as well.

But alas, shooting remains a concern with this roster, especially the bench. NAW, Reid, and SloMo are all competent 3-pt shooters, but it's in sort of a barely-keep-the-defense-honest way. No one is busting their ass to close out on these guys.

And then you have our last two draft classes: Moore Jr., Minott, Miller, and Clark. None of these guys have proven NBA outside shots yet.

[FNG]

I’m changing my tune on Miller too. . Again, I was initially disappointed that we didn’t end up with the guys I wanted or a good PG prospect. But Miller was a consensus first-round prospect. He averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds a game as a 19 year old in a man’s league.

I just finished watching a bunch of video of him and I loved what I saw. He doesn’t mess around with layups but instead dunks and does so with authority. He runs the floor. He plays hard and with passion. Just because he’s from Canada, I shouldn’t assume he’ll play like Wiggins. He wasn’t much of a 3-point shooter with the Ignite, but his shot looks fine. He’s obviously physically talented. The film confirms that, although at times he looks a bit awkward. But he’s definitely talented. What I like most is his energy and passion. I can see the common thread in both picks — i.e., they both play the game with effort and passion. Minott is the same way. You can see in the players TC selects the culture he’s trying to build.

I was initially down on last year’s draft picks until I learned more about them. I ended up really liking Kessler and Minott. Kessler has proved to be the right pick. I think Minott isn’t going to be really good. I’m on board with the Wolves two picks this year. We’ll see what other moves TC has in mind. My prediction is that the Wolves will end up with Tyus Jones. I’m not sure exactly how, but I think it will happen. Getting Tyus and these two picks tonight will make for a nice summer in my view. Would I prefer to see the Wolves move KAT or Rudy? Yes, but that’s highly unlikely. We’re going to run it back. Tonight’s picks are good longer term moves. We have Minott from last year. If we get Tyus and re-sign Naz, the summer will be complete as I see it.

Ha, I'm a lot like you, Lip! I get focused on a couple guys and am disappointed when the Wolves don't pick them. But I agree with you on these two guys after researching them. I actually knew a lot about Clark because NBADraft.net had the Wolves picking him and he was one of the few guys we worked out, but I knew nothing about Miller...I like what I see in both of them. Clark will have to improve his shot (although 33% on threes is not disastrous), but he is an elite defender and rebounder...and he has a Conley-like effective floater. And Miller is nightly double double with a great motor. Good night for TC!

[Coolbreeze44]

I had no clue about this draft class other than the top 3 guys. And since we didn't have any high picks, I wasn't motivated to pay much attention. But reading this thread was entertaining. I have to pick on Lip a little bit. We are used to him flip flopping on topics from game to game, but I'm not sure we've ever seen him flip within the same thread. It took all of about 2 hours for him to go from sour to psyched about our two picks. He is an absolute gem on this board.

Now we can look forward to summer league knowing we have some guys to check out and evaluate. And I'm still hoping for the game changing KAT for Scoot trade. The rumor mill will be fun for a couple weeks.