Lottery Draft Implications

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Boy, Monk at 3 seems like a stretch - a classic "drafting for need" play. Yes, Philly needs shooters, but he's a little on the short side and if the shot isn't falling, what else is there for him to hang his hat on? Jackson seems like the better prospect for them, especially with Covington's contract expiring soon.

I think I'd be fine adding either Isaac or Collins, but would really like to see the Wolves then explore all other options of trading for a vet, trading down in the draft, etc. I'm not married to any single strategy other than ensuring that whoever we draft isn't put in the position of having to be a major rotation player for us next season.

[TheFuture]

Whats your view Cool?

[Lipoli390]

Lip- as much as you and everyone else wants a 4th all-star, if the 7th pick is playing meaningful minutes, Thibs and Layden failed this summer in some capacity. Maybe they failed in getting free agent reinforcements (which they should be doing even if Basketball Jesus is at 7). Maybe Thibs /Layden signed this year's version of Aldrich/Rush/Hill. Maybe one of our existing young players continues not to get better. If that 7th pick, whether he's got sky high potential or not, plays a lot next season, we're conceding next season while we say "man in 2-3 years, watch out", while teams at the bottom are like "let's do what we can to get out of the cellar as soon as possible."

I understand your point, Wild. But here's my thinking. If the current Wolves core after $30 million in free agency additions can't make the playoffs or at least come extremely close, then we're in deep you know what. The focus of this franchise has to be on becoming a championship contender. Making the playoffs as a 7th or 8th seed is, at best, just a step along the way. In my view, if we end up becoming a true contender, it will be with the current core 3 (or at least a couple of them) plus another very high caliber player at the top of his game when our young core are at the top of theirs. I don't see our #7 pick landing us any current NBA player who would fit that bill without us giving up one of our current core three. Maybe Jimmy Butler, but I doubt we'd get him for just our pick and even if we did his age and history of physical breakdowns suggest he's not the answer.

I think Thibs will offer our #7 pick and Ricky for Jimmy Butler. The Bulls might take it. Some on this board would be thrilled. I'd be ok with it, but not thrilled. I don't the Celtics will trade their pick for Butler. They'll take Fultz and keep him. The Sixers might swap Okafor and their pick for Butler, which would certainly beat the #7 plus Ricky deal. It will be interesting.

The Warriors drafted Curry, Green and Thompson without a top 3 pick and they kept those picks. That's the road map for success for a franchise like ours. Again, I see your point, but IF our highly paid front office staff, including Thibs and Layden, are worth their pay, they should be expected to draft and keep an eventual elite player at #7 in what is largely regarded as a loaded, deep draft.

[TheFuture]

Boy, Monk at 3 seems like a stretch - a classic "drafting for need" play. Yes, Philly needs shooters, but he's a little on the short side and if the shot isn't falling, what else is there for him to hang his hat on? Jackson seems like the better prospect for them, especially with Covington's contract expiring soon.

I think I'd be fine adding either Isaac or Collins, but would really like to see the Wolves then explore all other options of trading for a vet, trading down in the draft, etc. I'm not married to any single strategy other than ensuring that whoever we draft isn't put in the position of having to be a major rotation player for us next season.

Is Monk really a stretch though at 3? He is projected anywhere from the fourth to eighth best player in most mocks. His strengths fit the sixers biggest need by far without considering what they ca fill with cap space. Ball doesn't make sense with their plan with Simmons. Neither does Tatum or Isaac. Nor Collins or Frank..

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Lip, the wildcard is if there is someone lower in the draft that Thibs thinks he can mold into an elite role player (like Draymond is for Golden State or Ibaka was for OKC) and get another asset in the process. I think trading down for someone that has great defensive chops and high motor could be on his radar. We've seen how some teams have taken players like this and then molded them into better offensive players over time such that they are truly a 2-way threat. I'm beginning to think that toughness, defense, and motor are foundational traits that are difficult to teach/develop. We need a huge helping of all three!

[Papalrep]

Lip--he Sixers might swap Okafor and their pick for Butler, which would certainly beat the #7 plus Ricky deal. It will be interesting.

I hope so. Butler peaks before our core. He's a stop gap. Any interest in trading down on this board?

[TheFuture]

Lip- as much as you and everyone else wants a 4th all-star, if the 7th pick is playing meaningful minutes, Thibs and Layden failed this summer in some capacity. Maybe they failed in getting free agent reinforcements (which they should be doing even if Basketball Jesus is at 7). Maybe Thibs /Layden signed this year's version of Aldrich/Rush/Hill. Maybe one of our existing young players continues not to get better. If that 7th pick, whether he's got sky high potential or not, plays a lot next season, we're conceding next season while we say "man in 2-3 years, watch out", while teams at the bottom are like "let's do what we can to get out of the cellar as soon as possible."

I understand your point, Wild. But here's my thinking. If the current Wolves core after $30 million in free agency additions can't make the playoffs or at least come extremely close, then we're in deep you know what. The focus of this franchise has to be on becoming a championship contender. Making the playoffs as a 7th or 8th seed is, at best, just a step along the way. In my view, if we end up becoming a true contender, it will be with the current core 3 (or at least a couple of them) plus another very high caliber player at the top of his game when our young core are at the top of theirs. I don't see our #7 pick landing us any current NBA player who would fit that bill without us giving up one of our current core three. Maybe Jimmy Butler, but I doubt we'd get him for just our pick and even if we did his age and history of physical breakdowns suggest he's not the answer.

I think Thibs will offer our #7 pick and Ricky for Jimmy Butler. The Bulls might take it. Some on this board would be thrilled. I'd be ok with it, but not thrilled. I don't the Celtics will trade their pick for Butler. They'll take Fultz and keep him. The Sixers might swap Okafor and their pick for Butler, which would certainly beat the #7 plus Ricky deal. It will be interesting.

The Warriors drafted Curry, Green and Thompson without a top 3 pick and they kept those picks. That's the road map for success for a franchise like ours. Again, I see your point, but IF our highly paid front office staff, including Thibs and Layden, are worth their pay, they should be expected to draft and keep an eventual elite player at #7 in what is largely regarded as a loaded, deep draft.

I don't see a Chicago - Minnesota trade ever happening unless Thibs over pays and I doubt that happens. We need to look elsewhere for targets.

Further, no way in hell butler gets moved for 3 and okafor. The bulls reportedly turned down the nets pick + actual NBA players.

[Coolbreeze44]

Whats your view Cool?

Mostly anger at the Lakers keeping their pick two years in a row. As far as the draft order? I'm okay with Isaac or Collins at #7. I think Ball is a slam dunk for the Lakers unless the Celtics decide to take him.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Boy, Monk at 3 seems like a stretch - a classic "drafting for need" play. Yes, Philly needs shooters, but he's a little on the short side and if the shot isn't falling, what else is there for him to hang his hat on? Jackson seems like the better prospect for them, especially with Covington's contract expiring soon.

I think I'd be fine adding either Isaac or Collins, but would really like to see the Wolves then explore all other options of trading for a vet, trading down in the draft, etc. I'm not married to any single strategy other than ensuring that whoever we draft isn't put in the position of having to be a major rotation player for us next season.

Is Monk really a stretch though at 3? He is projected anywhere from the fourth to eighth best player in most mocks. His strengths fit the sixers biggest need by far without considering what they ca fill with cap space. Ball doesn't make sense with their plan with Simmons. Neither does Tatum or Isaac. Nor Collins or Frank..

Well, you know I'm not a fan of guys that are known solely for their shooting/scoring, but offer up very little else. I just think it's a stretch and they should go with a potential 2-way wing in Jackson, then try to figure out a way to pick up one of the solid free agent vet PGs that can help share the load with Simmons, steady the ship when things get a little crazy, and hit open jumpers. Collison? May be re-unite with Jrue Holiday? Teague? Some solid options out there.

[Coolbreeze44]

Lip, the wildcard is if there is someone lower in the draft that Thibs thinks he can mold into an elite role player (like Draymond is for Golden State or Ibaka was for OKC) and get another asset in the process. I think trading down for someone that has great defensive chops and high motor could be on his radar. We've seen how some teams have taken players like this and then molded them into better offensive players over time such that they are truly a 2-way threat. I'm beginning to think that toughness, defense, and motor are foundational traits that are difficult to teach/develop. We need a huge helping of all three!

I'd be interested in a trade down that gets us Bell and another glue guy.