2014 NBA Draft thoughts.

[60WinTim]

Apparently Kyle Anderson has a sprained ankle and won't be participating in the work outs. I was really hoping to see him... :(

Zach LaVine worked out with the PGs yesterday. He is a BIG PG!

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

Well, Lavine is certainly a guy I would expect to dominate in these types of events. He has off-the-charts athleticism, a great ball handler, and is a solid shooter. His issue is not in the skill department. Saw him play a few times, and he just seemed like that guy that would disappear for long stretches. Not entirely surprising given he was a freshman that wasn't really highly thought of coming into the season. Couple that with how that UCLA offense tends to create issues for certain types of players. I brought him up in another thread as well, and like him as a long-term combo guard off bench, but he is no where near ready to play in the NBA.

Interesting debate on whether we draft an NBA-ready guy, or someone for the future. Also, what position do we focus? So far, I am on the NBA ready type with a skill(s) that will translate right away regardless of position (i.e. McDermott and shooting; Payne and shooting/rebounding). Someone argued you don't take Payne because he would play behind Love. I guess my question is at #13, do we expect a starter? I certainly don't regardless of who is there. I would be hard pressed to say that anyone drafted is going to get more than 15 minutes per game regardless of their skill. I get planning for the future, but this team is just not good enough to be seriously competitive next season without adding talent that can help. And we don't have the cap space or trading assets to make a major move (depending upon what you think of Pek and if he would have suitors). We are in a very precarious place right now, and I am interested how management moves forward.

[bleedspeed]

Guys for the future typically provide value in their first year or become way more likely to be busts.

Lost os good options for us.

[northernhoops [enjin:9491634]]

My board at 12
Stauskas
Harris
McDermott
Lavine
Payne

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

For those who would like to land Stauskas with our pick, the chances of his being available at our pick increased this week when he measured over 12% body fat. This combined with the impression that he is not athletic (I would say he is average) is likely to knock him down a few slots. This draft is so deep, any red flags at all will be costly. Good news for the TWolves, I think.

[mjs34]

Long, he actually tested pretty well in measurements and drills, including shooting the lights out. I don't think his body fat will be a concern at all. On the other hand, Gary Harris measured out very poorly and was unable to do drills due to an injury. I think he will drop significantly. Hopefully Flip doesn't take him just because he is Izzo's guy.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

For those who would like to land Stauskas with our pick, the chances of his being available at our pick increased this week when he measured over 12% body fat. This combined with the impression that he is not athletic (I would say he is average) is likely to knock him down a few slots. This draft is so deep, any red flags at all will be costly. Good news for the TWolves, I think.

I hope this will be the case, but I'm real worried about him getting past PHI/DEN/DET.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/259741591.html

I found Flip's comments in Grandpa Sport's column yesterday interesting. He talks about the depth in this year's draft, and suggests that teams with multiple needs might be inclined to trade down this year (like Flip did last year). My first thought was "Great, let's trade down again and get two good players like last year". But then I realized that Flip has mastered the GM art of creating smokescreens, and I decided he may be more interested in moving UP this year.

If Flip has set his sights on a top 3 pick, what do you guys think he would have to package with our presumed 13th to make this deal. Would a team with a top three pick be interested in our 13th, our 40th and a rotation player (say Bud, Barea or even Martin)? A bottom feeder team would still be able to get two good players in the draft, plus add a rotation player. Or do we just not have the assets to move up in this year's draft?

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

LST, I guess the easiest way to answer.....would you be interested in the trade you propose? This is still a league driven by stars (with the exception of SA), and you are suggesting a team in the top 3 trading a potential star for maybe Payne, 2nd rounder and Bud? This draft, my guess is that it would cost you Rubio, #13, maybe something else. Not saying you do it, but that is the minimum to get you in top 3 this year. To be honest, we probably don't have the assets to move to top 3 (with exception of Love of course). I doubt GM's in the league are as high on Ricky as many on this board.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Rubio + 13 could get you top-five. Probably in position for Exum, which is at least worth thinking about even though most of us love Rubio.