Minnesota Sports Forum

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

TheFuture wrote:Getting back to draft talk:

Thoughts on Deni Avdija and Aleksej Pokusevski? Talent/potential, fit with our team, and where you'd take them?

I really like Deni. He has PG skills in a 6'9, 220 pound body. Like LaMelo Ball, his shooting is a question mark based on his shooting percentages. But his form looks good and he's still only 19 years old, so I can seen his shooting coming around. I'd say the same for LaMello. What I really love about Deni are his basketball IQ, which is super high, his defense and his toughness. He's a really smart player with a great feel for the game and he's a tough, aggressive defender. He has a lot of toughness and swagger. I've watched all the video I could find on him and love watching him play. My favorite is the video of him and Mike Schmitz reviewing film on Deni. I highly recommend that video because it really highlights Deni's tremendous basketball IQ. Deni and Okongwu are my two favorites for the Wolves right now if Edwards and Ball aren't available when the Wolves pick. I'm still not sure where Wiseman will end up on my draft board for the Wolves. Right now, I'm concerned about reports questioning his competitiveness and love of the game.

Doesn't remind you of a more athletic Saric. I know it might be a lazy comp being both Euro small ball bigs probably in their NBA career. But his shooting really worries me are we really going to draft another guy who just can't shoot and his FT percentage is bad also what worries me. I like the talent of Avdija but I dont know if the wolves are really afford to draft a guy who is a complete project with his shot for the 3rd straight year. If the Wolves do draft him though I won't be extremely upset.

I don't see the Saric comparison. Deni is a MUCH better ball-handler, passer and overall playmaker. He's a PG in a PF's body. Saric was a PF in a PF's body. He was actually a better shooter than Deni is right now, but Deni's only 19 years old and has good shooting form and a great work ethic. So I think he'll improve a lot in that area, although it's definitely a legitimate concern. It's particularly concerning after drafting Culver last season. But my gut tells me Deni's shot will develop quickly and that he'll be a very good player - perhaps a really special player.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:

thedoper wrote:Will Aaron Nesmith be there at 16? Wouldnt he be a no brainer in that spot? I dont see anyway this kid wont be an asset in the NBA. 69% TS at legit usage 26%. Im not sure even the Timberwolves could ruin his shot.

I like what I'm seeing just looking over his basics. I still like Vassell more for the defense especially, but I could see a world in which it's not crazy to potentially take both.

Unrelated thought:

Anyone else hope we DON'T get a top 3 pick? The starting salary for the #1 pick is over 12 million a year. Usually those rookie deals are great because they give a team so much control, but that's a lot of money for a guy who is likely to be kind of *meh*. I'd rather get Vassell at 5 or 6 than have to pay him much more, and I don't think I want Ball or Wiseman. I guess you could hope someone would think they would be worth it and trade down with them, but the chances you'd find the right taker would be low, right?

I like Vassell a lot. I used to think we could grab him at #16, but it doesn't look like he'll last that long. I don't see him getting drafted in the top 5. He'll probably be taken in the 8-12 range. The Wolves might consider trading up from 16 to get him.

Like you, I was thinking that it might be better if the Wolves don't get a top 3 pick. But they can always trade down and save some money while picking up another asset. I do think that Edwards is the guy to get in this draft. I don't like his FG or 3-point shooting percentage, but I think his relatively poor shooting was attributable primarily to poor shot selection on a team without a lot of talent around him. Unlike Culver, he doesn't look like his shot is broken. He's the dynamic player the Wolves lack and that a team needs to be elite. He's the guy who can take over a game with the ball in his hands - breaking down defenses, scoring in bunches and putting the team his back. He's an quick, fast, ultra-athletic 6'5 guard with a PG's handle. Yet, he's 225 pounds! That's freakish - almost like a mini-LeBron. I think he'll be the first player taken so I don't see the Wolves getting him unless they land the top pick. I'm not sure who I'd take at #2 or 3. I'd be tempted to take Ball, but I have reservations about his passion for the game and his competitiveness. Same for Wiseman. I think there's a big drop in upside after those three - Edwards, Ball and Wiseman. So I'd be inclined to trade down from 2 or 3 and target Okongwu, Deni Advija or maybe Vassell. I'd target Bey at #16.

lipoli390 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

TheFuture wrote:Getting back to draft talk:

Thoughts on Deni Avdija and Aleksej Pokusevski? Talent/potential, fit with our team, and where you'd take them?

I really like Deni. He has PG skills in a 6'9, 220 pound body. Like LaMelo Ball, his shooting is a question mark based on his shooting percentages. But his form looks good and he's still only 19 years old, so I can seen his shooting coming around. I'd say the same for LaMello. What I really love about Deni are his basketball IQ, which is super high, his defense and his toughness. He's a really smart player with a great feel for the game and he's a tough, aggressive defender. He has a lot of toughness and swagger. I've watched all the video I could find on him and love watching him play. My favorite is the video of him and Mike Schmitz reviewing film on Deni. I highly recommend that video because it really highlights Deni's tremendous basketball IQ. Deni and Okongwu are my two favorites for the Wolves right now if Edwards and Ball aren't available when the Wolves pick. I'm still not sure where Wiseman will end up on my draft board for the Wolves. Right now, I'm concerned about reports questioning his competitiveness and love of the game.

Doesn't remind you of a more athletic Saric. I know it might be a lazy comp being both Euro small ball bigs probably in their NBA career. But his shooting really worries me are we really going to draft another guy who just can't shoot and his FT percentage is bad also what worries me. I like the talent of Avdija but I dont know if the wolves are really afford to draft a guy who is a complete project with his shot for the 3rd straight year. If the Wolves do draft him though I won't be extremely upset.

I don't see the Saric comparison. Deni is a MUCH better ball-handler, passer and overall playmaker. He's a PG in a PF's body. Saric was a PF in a PF's body. He was actually a better shooter than Deni is right now, but Deni's only 19 years old and has good shooting form and a great work ethic. So I think he'll improve a lot in that area, although it's definitely a legitimate concern. It's particularly concerning after drafting Culver last season. But my gut tells me Deni's shot will develop quickly and that he'll be a very good player - perhaps a really special player.

I was talking more of Saric as a prospect (I didn't specify so no reason for you to know what goes on in my brain.) Remember Saric was considered a possible Point Foward also, he was known for his playmaking out of Europe, that really never translated to the NBA. I do like Deni just worries me about his shooting and you are right he might improve just worries even his FT shooting is not a good indicator of what he can become.

lipoli390 wrote:

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:

thedoper wrote:Will Aaron Nesmith be there at 16? Wouldnt he be a no brainer in that spot? I dont see anyway this kid wont be an asset in the NBA. 69% TS at legit usage 26%. Im not sure even the Timberwolves could ruin his shot.

I like what I'm seeing just looking over his basics. I still like Vassell more for the defense especially, but I could see a world in which it's not crazy to potentially take both.

Unrelated thought:

Anyone else hope we DON'T get a top 3 pick? The starting salary for the #1 pick is over 12 million a year. Usually those rookie deals are great because they give a team so much control, but that's a lot of money for a guy who is likely to be kind of *meh*. I'd rather get Vassell at 5 or 6 than have to pay him much more, and I don't think I want Ball or Wiseman. I guess you could hope someone would think they would be worth it and trade down with them, but the chances you'd find the right taker would be low, right?

I like Vassell a lot. I used to think we could grab him at #16, but it doesn't look like he'll last that long. I don't see him getting drafted in the top 5. He'll probably be taken in the 8-12 range. The Wolves might consider trading up from 16 to get him.

Like you, I was thinking that it might be better if the Wolves don't get a top 3 pick. But they can always trade down and save some money while picking up another asset. I do think that Edwards is the guy to get in this draft. I don't like his FG or 3-point shooting percentage, but I think his relatively poor shooting was attributable primarily to poor shot selection on a team without a lot of talent around him. Unlike Culver, he doesn't look like his shot is broken. He's the dynamic player the Wolves lack and that a team needs to be elite. He's the guy who can take over a game with the ball in his hands - breaking down defenses, scoring in bunches and putting the team his back. He's an quick, fast, ultra-athletic 6'5 guard with a PG's handle. Yet, he's 225 pounds! That's freakish - almost like a mini-LeBron. I think he'll be the first player taken so I don't see the Wolves getting him unless they land the top pick. I'm not sure who I'd take at #2 or 3. I'd be tempted to take Ball, but I have reservations about his passion for the game and his competitiveness. Same for Wiseman. I think there's a big drop in upside after those three - Edwards, Ball and Wiseman. So I'd be inclined to trade down from 2 or 3 and target Okongwu, Deni Advija or maybe Vassell. I'd target Bey at #16.

Take the top pick and run. I understand you thought process Drew but I think this draft is just going to be weird and a lot of fans will hate this draft because its going to go not as the mocks project it. I think you just have to take the guy you love and live with it because another team might love that player also that you think you can get latter. Ive seen mocks where Tyrell Terry is a 2nd round pick and Ive seen mocks of him being in the top 10, Wiseman as high as 1 and I saw a prospect board as him as the 13th best prospect yesterday. Its going to be a weird draft so I want to have control of it. I think Ball and Edwards are the only 2 guys I see consistently in the top 5.

Just want to remind everyone also Wolves have the best odds to get the 6th picks.

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:

thedoper wrote:Will Aaron Nesmith be there at 16? Wouldnt he be a no brainer in that spot? I dont see anyway this kid wont be an asset in the NBA. 69% TS at legit usage 26%. Im not sure even the Timberwolves could ruin his shot.

I like what I'm seeing just looking over his basics. I still like Vassell more for the defense especially, but I could see a world in which it's not crazy to potentially take both.

Unrelated thought:

Anyone else hope we DON'T get a top 3 pick? The starting salary for the #1 pick is over 12 million a year. Usually those rookie deals are great because they give a team so much control, but that's a lot of money for a guy who is likely to be kind of *meh*. I'd rather get Vassell at 5 or 6 than have to pay him much more, and I don't think I want Ball or Wiseman. I guess you could hope someone would think they would be worth it and trade down with them, but the chances you'd find the right taker would be low, right?

I like Vassell a lot. I used to think we could grab him at #16, but it doesn't look like he'll last that long. I don't see him getting drafted in the top 5. He'll probably be taken in the 8-12 range. The Wolves might consider trading up from 16 to get him.

Like you, I was thinking that it might be better if the Wolves don't get a top 3 pick. But they can always trade down and save some money while picking up another asset. I do think that Edwards is the guy to get in this draft. I don't like his FG or 3-point shooting percentage, but I think his relatively poor shooting was attributable primarily to poor shot selection on a team without a lot of talent around him. Unlike Culver, he doesn't look like his shot is broken. He's the dynamic player the Wolves lack and that a team needs to be elite. He's the guy who can take over a game with the ball in his hands - breaking down defenses, scoring in bunches and putting the team his back. He's an quick, fast, ultra-athletic 6'5 guard with a PG's handle. Yet, he's 225 pounds! That's freakish - almost like a mini-LeBron. I think he'll be the first player taken so I don't see the Wolves getting him unless they land the top pick. I'm not sure who I'd take at #2 or 3. I'd be tempted to take Ball, but I have reservations about his passion for the game and his competitiveness. Same for Wiseman. I think there's a big drop in upside after those three - Edwards, Ball and Wiseman. So I'd be inclined to trade down from 2 or 3 and target Okongwu, Deni Advija or maybe Vassell. I'd target Bey at #16.

Take the top pick and run. I understand you thought process Drew but I think this draft is just going to be weird and a lot of fans will hate this draft because its going to go not as the mocks project it. I think you just have to take the guy you love and live with it because another team might love that player also that you think you can get latter. Ive seen mocks where Tyrell Terry is a 2nd round pick and Ive seen mocks of him being in the top 10, Wiseman as high as 1 and I saw a prospect board as him as the 13th best prospect yesterday. Its going to be a weird draft so I want to have control of it. I think Ball and Edwards are the only 2 guys I see consistently in the top 5.

Just want to remind everyone also Wolves have the best odds to get the 6th picks.

Just wait till the 2021 draft where teams will likely be going off of maybe a handful of College games or whatever season they played over a year previously. That likely going to be the case for every Pro sport.

Can we talk about Vassell here?

Watch him on D. He's really disruptive. I wish he was a little taller, and he'll need to put on some weight (his frame looks like he could take it), but he uses his arm length really well. Seems to deflect a lot of balls, pick up a good deal of steals and blocks, and he seems to be pretty good in the transition game after a turnover. Seems to make a lot of hustle plays, which I like.

I wish his FT% were a little higher, but he's got good form and good percentages on his 3. In highlights, he hits them off the catch and shoot, and also off the dribble, which would be great. He's not a very good dribbler, but seems to be able to dribble a bit when needed, and he seems to have some passing touch too, including the ability to throw some alley-oops. Overall, he wasn't statistically impressive in terms of raw numbers, but in that 3 and D role, he should be efficient and complement DLo, KAT, and Beasley.

He's not as big as Covington, and I would be surprised if he ended up as good as Cov at just stripping steals, but Vassell really looks to me to be a similar kind of player, maybe better in some ways. That's a valuable player to get out of a draft like this.

I also like the fit with us needing defense and floor spacing. Could be a pretty ideal fit for what we need?

What would people think about trading out pick for Jonathan Isaac of the Magic? Might be a good fit next to Towns, be a better fit from a timeline perspective of our young core development than a rookie, and would fit the mold of having defenders with versatility who can pass off assignments? We'd have to add a gap filler with the pick, but given Orlando's frontcourt, there's a possibility they could bite as well?

mrhockey89 wrote:What would people think about trading out pick for Jonathan Isaac of the Magic? Might be a good fit next to Towns, be a better fit from a timeline perspective of our young core development than a rookie, and would fit the mold of having defenders with versatility who can pass off assignments? We'd have to add a gap filler with the pick, but given Orlando's frontcourt, there's a possibility they could bite as well?

I would be down with this. The top two prospects for me this draft are wiseman and edwards. After them, I would be willing to trade anyone in this draft class for Isaac.

I wouldn't make any trade that would require the Wolves to give up future first round draft picks or any Wolves roster players other than Evans, Spellman, Layman, Nowell or Vanderbilt. The Wolves front office went all in on Russell as a second star to pair with KAT. They acquired a talented young player in Beasley. Okogie and Culver are both still young with lots of possible improvement ahead of them. They're also the only two players on the roster with the potential to be elite defenders. We never had the chance to see the new guys play with our best player, KAT. And they didn't have much time to develop together because of the Covid shut-down. This isn't a time to try to make a big deal. It's time to show some patience and some faith in the moves already made.

Isaac would be a great fit, but you can't trade the value of that high first round pick for a guy who's coming up on his second deal. If you could get it done for the later pick and anyone not named Towns or Russell it's worth it, but I don't see Orlando doing that. Isaac seems to be tailor made defensively for this new modern NBA.