Wolves Draft Watch

[Lipoli390]

I’m starting a new thread to cover both the Detroit and Utah picks the Wolves night get this year. If the season ended today we would NOT get the Detroit first-round pick as Detroit currently has the 13th worst record, which means the pick falls within the top 13 protection for this year. Meanwhile, we’d have the 32nd pick via Utah.

[WildWolf2813]

the dream acquisition would have to be Khaman Maluach from Duke. Unfortunately he's a lock to go to the lottery in a weak draft for centers and this team needs to already think about life after Rudy.

The only other centers worth looking at are Rocco Zikarsky, Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton (with Utah's 2nd rounder), Derik Queen from Maryland and Thomas Sorber (with Detroit's pick).


I'm not opposed to drafting Hugo Gonzalez and either stashing him or sending him to G League since Finch damn sure isn't gonna use him.

[Lipoli390]

the dream acquisition would have to be Khaman Maluach from Duke. Unfortunately he's a lock to go to the lottery in a weak draft for centers and this team needs to already think about life after Rudy.

The only other centers worth looking at are Rocco Zikarsky, Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton (with Utah's 2nd rounder), Derik Queen from Maryland and Thomas Sorber (with Detroit's pick).


I'm not opposed to drafting Hugo Gonzalez and either stashing him or sending him to G League since Finch damn sure isn't gonna use him.

Good run down of some draft candidates for the Wolves. I agree that, if we draft for position or need, we should draft a center.

[Monster]

According to Tankathon the Wolves are back to getting the Pistons pick. I usually don't put too much stock into it but it's interesting to look at strength of schedule. Painfully the Jazz has one of the toughest schedules left. Wolves have the 20th. That's partly because they have a number of games against teams with bad records including 4 games against the Jazz.

One of the benefits of getting both picks is having some flexibility to move up or around the draft. Getting a center sounds nice but it also feels like that's a spot where you can reasonably add a guy via cheap FA or low level trade even etc and they can be worthwhile. A more defensive minded PF/C is something that this team currently lacks.

[Lipoli390]

According to Tankathon the Wolves are back to getting the Pistons pick. I usually don't put too much stock into it but it's interesting to look at strength of schedule. Painfully the Jazz has one of the toughest schedules left. Wolves have the 20th. That's partly because they have a number of games against teams with bad records including 4 games against the Jazz.

One of the benefits of getting both picks is having some flexibility to move up or around the draft. Getting a center sounds nice but it also feels like that's a spot where you can reasonably add a guy via cheap FA or low level trade even etc and they can be worthwhile. A more defensive minded PF/C is something that this team currently lacks.

That’s my thinking too, Monster. We really don’t have roster room for two rookies next season. So I like the idea of using both picks to move higher in the first round. I agree we should target a defensive center or PF (defensive big) in the draft. We could use someone who can keep our interior defense operating at a high level when Rudy’s on the bench.

[Monster]

According to Tankathon the Wolves are back to getting the Pistons pick. I usually don't put too much stock into it but it's interesting to look at strength of schedule. Painfully the Jazz has one of the toughest schedules left. Wolves have the 20th. That's partly because they have a number of games against teams with bad records including 4 games against the Jazz.

One of the benefits of getting both picks is having some flexibility to move up or around the draft. Getting a center sounds nice but it also feels like that's a spot where you can reasonably add a guy via cheap FA or low level trade even etc and they can be worthwhile. A more defensive minded PF/C is something that this team currently lacks.

That’s my thinking too, Monster. We really don’t have roster room for two rookies next season. So I like the idea of using both picks to move higher in the first round. I agree we should target a defensive center or PF (defensive big) in the draft. We could use someone who can keep our interior defense operating at a high level when Rudy’s on the bench.

They could also end up with a future pick while moving around in the draft. Even if it's a 2nd rounder that could prove useful. Connely is clearly not afraid to make draft day deals which is at least interesting.

[Lipoli390]

According to Tankathon the Wolves are back to getting the Pistons pick. I usually don't put too much stock into it but it's interesting to look at strength of schedule. Painfully the Jazz has one of the toughest schedules left. Wolves have the 20th. That's partly because they have a number of games against teams with bad records including 4 games against the Jazz.

One of the benefits of getting both picks is having some flexibility to move up or around the draft. Getting a center sounds nice but it also feels like that's a spot where you can reasonably add a guy via cheap FA or low level trade even etc and they can be worthwhile. A more defensive minded PF/C is something that this team currently lacks.

That’s my thinking too, Monster. We really don’t have roster room for two rookies next season. So I like the idea of using both picks to move higher in the first round. I agree we should target a defensive center or PF (defensive big) in the draft. We could use someone who can keep our interior defense operating at a high level when Rudy’s on the bench.

They could also end up with a future pick while moving around in the draft. Even if it's a 2nd rounder that could prove useful. Connely is clearly not afraid to make draft day deals which is at least interesting.

I was thinking the same thing, Monster. I could see swapping both picks for an unprotected (or very lightly protected) first in 2027, a year when we currently don’t have any draft picks.

[Monster]

That’s my thinking too, Monster. We really don’t have roster room for two rookies next season. So I like the idea of using both picks to move higher in the first round. I agree we should target a defensive center or PF (defensive big) in the draft. We could use someone who can keep our interior defense operating at a high level when Rudy’s on the bench.

They could also end up with a future pick while moving around in the draft. Even if it's a 2nd rounder that could prove useful. Connely is clearly not afraid to make draft day deals which is at least interesting.

I was thinking the same thing, Monster. I could see swapping both picks for an unprotected (or very lightly protected) first in 2027, a year when we currently don’t have any draft picks.

I could see them moving around and making a selection while also getting a future pick. It will be interesting with a number of teams having multiple first round picks. Could the Wolves move up a few spots to get a guy they really like? Right now the Spurs are projected to have a couple picks around the 10th pick. Could the Wolves make another deal? What about the Wolves moving up a few spots in the first with the Spurs by giving up their 2nd from the Jazz but still get one of the Spurs 2nds this year? It's a bit early to talk about this stuff but it's kinda fun.

[Lipoli390]

They could also end up with a future pick while moving around in the draft. Even if it's a 2nd rounder that could prove useful. Connely is clearly not afraid to make draft day deals which is at least interesting.

I was thinking the same thing, Monster. I could see swapping both picks for an unprotected (or very lightly protected) first in 2027, a year when we currently don’t have any draft picks.

I could see them moving around and making a selection while also getting a future pick. It will be interesting with a number of teams having multiple first round picks. Could the Wolves move up a few spots to get a guy they really like? Right now the Spurs are projected to have a couple picks around the 10th pick. Could the Wolves make another deal? What about the Wolves moving up a few spots in the first with the Spurs by giving up their 2nd from the Jazz but still get one of the Spurs 2nds this year? It's a bit early to talk about this stuff but it's kinda fun.

Yes, early but fun! . Getting Detroit’s pick at around #15 and the Utah pick (probably #32 or 33) would give TC a lot to work with in the upcoming draft. What we’ve seen so far is that TC can do a lot with very little on draft day. The draft truly is his forte. I’d love to see what he could do with picks 15 and 32.

[LongGame]

Ryan Kalkbrenner would be a perfect backup center for the Wolves. Would be an awesome pick at 32, not sure he will be there. I would consider him at 15. 35 points, 12 rebounds, 2 threes, 3 steals and 2 blocks tonight. Older guy, ready to contribute. Not as big, but more skilled than Edey.