Wolves 2017 Draft Thread

[Monster]

http://www.libertyballers.com/2017/6/6/15746608/nba-draft-rumors-kings-willing-to-trade-picks-5-and-10-move-up-for-deaaron-fox-philadelphia-76ers

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/06/06/report-kings-trade-deaaron-fox/

both articles pull from Chad Ford's ESPN insider article


This could be HUGE for us, Fox was already going to be taken but if Philly moves down to 5 they have a very strong chance of drafting Monk now

1-BOston-Fultz
2-LA-Ball
3-Sactown-Fox
4-Phoenix-?
5-Philly-Monk
6-Orlando-?

Isaac AND Jackson both still yet to be placed in that scenario, of course it hurts that we dropped down a spot even more but what is the Suns or Magic fall in love with Tatum or Dennis Smith Jr? I think the suns likely take Jackson or Isaac but the Magic are the wildcard

I think Jackson goes to the Suns and Isaac to the Magic in that scenario leaving us Tatum. Personally I would look to trade Tatum because he doesn't really fit here short or long-term. If we can't find a trade partner keep him and let him be the sixth man who carries the bench scoring until the right deal comes in place. Maybe Tatum and Dunn are enough of a starter to land Butler without giving up one of the big 3.

The good thing about Tatum is he projects as a combo forward. What does this roster need? A combo forward and shooting. He might even be able to provide some of both. He biggest strength as an ISO scorer isn't ideal but I've heard he is a good kid willing to do other stuff and he has some decent do shit stats. Like you said he could be a nice 6th man scorer off the bench highly likely to a better version of Bazz because he is more skilled. He isn't the guy I want but he makes a lot of sense in some ways too and the guy does have talent.

I'm not big on Tatum's prospects as a combo forward. He's too small to guard the Aldridge, Blake and AD's of the world and most small ball lineups that work have a KD or Kawhi at the 4 who he can't guard either. Maybe I'm too hung up on an inch or two and 20-30 lbs. I could see it being fine offensively. I just don't know if it would work defensively against a large chunk of our conference. With his biggest value add being scoring, I'm not sure if the fit is here long-term. There's only 1 ball to go around.

I'm not too concerned about Aldridge that's what Towns and Dieng are for. I'm not sold on Tatum either but he looks like a guy that could at least make things interesting against guys like Ryan Anderson and guys like that. Belly is the only guy currently on the roster that seems to be able to play against guys like that and he had foot surgery and we don't know how good he is or isn't. We aren't getting a perfect prospect at #7. Tatum isn't my guy (I thought he played weak near the basket to some extent) but he is a freshman) but I think I would take him over guys like Monk, Markkanen. Would I take Zach Collins over him? Idk I like Zach collins a lot I just have reservations about him guarding on the perimeter still although I feel better than I did a few weeks ago.

I still think the Wolves will have a good chance at getting a good player or at least one that can help them the next few years but if Isaac is gone I start to feel like I did last year when we were at 5. Nobody really jumps out at me and the idea of trading down actually is plenty intriguing. It's a little over 2 weeks away we will see what happens. I wonder with the Sixers sitting where they are maybe looking to trade and the Kings at 5-10 I'm not sure any teams above the Wolves are going to want to give up much legit info about who they want.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I don't like Monk. He's a short SG and that would scare me. Shooting is one of those things that is very iffy in terms of translating from college to the NBA. Monk is going to have taller, quicker defenders on him and his shot is going to be more easily bothered than at the college level.

So, short like CJ McCollum?

Touche. Of course there are examples of short-ish shooting guards that have had success. There is also Eric Gordon and Avery Bradley. Then there are the likes of Dion Waiters, Fred Jones, Rashad McCants, Luther Head, Randy Foye, and Dajuan Wagner, all of whom were/are disappointments given their draft positions.

But in reality, there really aren't even that many pure SGs at Monk's height. You can't even compare him to many guys because most of them either never made it to the NBA or they end up playing PG (like Curry).

[AbeVigodaLive]

I don't like Monk. He's a short SG and that would scare me. Shooting is one of those things that is very iffy in terms of translating from college to the NBA. Monk is going to have taller, quicker defenders on him and his shot is going to be more easily bothered than at the college level.

So, short like CJ McCollum?

Touche. Of course there are examples of short-ish shooting guards that have had success. There is also Eric Gordon and Avery Bradley. Then there are the likes of Dion Waiters, Fred Jones, Rashad McCants, Luther Head, Randy Foye, and Dajuan Wagner, all of whom were/are disappointments given their draft positions.

But in reality, there really aren't even that many pure SGs at Monk's height. You can't even compare him to many guys because most of them either never made it to the NBA or they end up playing PG (like Curry).

I'd never claim to be an NBA draft expert...

But when I see Monk's size and resume... I see Ben Gordon. Is that bad? Not necessarily... but there are inherent limitations. Many NBA teams need a combo guard off the bench who can score...

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Right, a Louis Williams/Ben Gordon type sparkplug off the bench is a solid comp. Heck, even Eric Gordon is coming off the bench since he couldn't stay healthy as a starter.

But it gets back to the potential log jam we have at SG - Wiggins, LaVine, and Dunn can all currently play that position. Burning a lottery pick that isn't clearly way better than the other options (Isaac, Tatum, Markannen, Collins, etc.) seems like a poor choice UNLESS we are making that pick on behalf of another team and then trade Monk eventually.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Monk got legit shut down by Justin Jackson in the tournament until he hit a couple circus shots at the end of the game. Length gave him all kinds of problems and he wasn't quick enough to get around Jackson either and Jackson isn't a great athlete himself. I think Monk is gonna be pretty easy to stop if you need to stop him. I don't see much that gives him an edge offensively to score when the going gets tough outside of hitting a couple circus shots. I think his comp is Lou Williams. The question then becomes can he play PG like Lou and be quick enough to score like Lou.

[Mr. Brightside [enjin:16464947]]

Right, a Louis Williams/Ben Gordon type sparkplug off the bench is a solid comp. Heck, even Eric Gordon is coming off the bench since he couldn't stay healthy as a starter.

But it gets back to the potential log jam we have at SG - Wiggins, LaVine, and Dunn can all currently play that position. Burning a lottery pick that isn't clearly way better than the other options (Isaac, Tatum, Markannen, Collins, etc.) seems like a poor choice UNLESS we are making that pick on behalf of another team and then trade Monk eventually.

I wouldn't take Monk due to the logjam issue as well.

[TheFuture]

Right, a Louis Williams/Ben Gordon type sparkplug off the bench is a solid comp. Heck, even Eric Gordon is coming off the bench since he couldn't stay healthy as a starter.

But it gets back to the potential log jam we have at SG - Wiggins, LaVine, and Dunn can all currently play that position. Burning a lottery pick that isn't clearly way better than the other options (Isaac, Tatum, Markannen, Collins, etc.) seems like a poor choice UNLESS we are making that pick on behalf of another team and then trade Monk eventually.

Agreed. The monk pick only makes sense with a trade of him or one of our other players. Like you said, he is in the same tier of many other players who better fit our plans. At least three of Isaac, OG, Tatum, Markannen, and Collins will be there for us.

I spent yesterday looking at Markannen and Collins tape. I'm unconvinced that Markannen cannot develop into a passable defender. He moves rather well for a seven footer, and shouldn't be a complete mismatch when forced to switch. His rebounding effort troubles me and His effort and technique on the defensive end is the concerning. Half teachable, half want to? The offensive skill set for a 7 footer is remarkable though and definitely fits next to KAT. He handles the ball very well, has excellent footwork, good passing ability, can run off screens and traverse close outs like a guard/wing, and of course his shooting stroke. There is legitimate potential for a KAT and Markannen PnR. That would be unguardable. Imagine a close game where we have two 7 footers that can screen for the mismatch and attack the basket, pop out to the three, or make the right pass.

Collins is more intriguing every time I watch him, but I still come away concerned about his fit. I see a definite 5 with him, which we already are being forced to play two in Dieng and Towns. He is athletic, smart, has a well rounded offensive game, good defender, and his effort is undeniable. But I can't get passed 17 mins per game, 4 or so huge games, and his redundancy. I'd be pleased to have him, but I'd opt for Markannen first.

I watch the current NBA and always come away with the same thought. Individual offense far outweighs individual defense. Markannen has the potential to be an offensive stud and make us a juggernaut on that end. Sure, he may not be able to stick with all small ball fours, but he can force the issue to the opposing team. Id prefer to win by dictating vs. reacting.

[Monster]

Right, a Louis Williams/Ben Gordon type sparkplug off the bench is a solid comp. Heck, even Eric Gordon is coming off the bench since he couldn't stay healthy as a starter.

But it gets back to the potential log jam we have at SG - Wiggins, LaVine, and Dunn can all currently play that position. Burning a lottery pick that isn't clearly way better than the other options (Isaac, Tatum, Markannen, Collins, etc.) seems like a poor choice UNLESS we are making that pick on behalf of another team and then trade Monk eventually.

Agreed. The monk pick only makes sense with a trade of him or one of our other players. Like you said, he is in the same tier of many other players who better fit our plans. At least three of Isaac, OG, Tatum, Markannen, and Collins will be there for us.

I spent yesterday looking at Markannen and Collins tape. I'm unconvinced that Markannen cannot develop into a passable defender. He moves rather well for a seven footer, and shouldn't be a complete mismatch when forced to switch. His rebounding effort troubles me and His effort and technique on the defensive end is the concerning. Half teachable, half want to? The offensive skill set for a 7 footer is remarkable though and definitely fits next to KAT. He handles the ball very well, has excellent footwork, good passing ability, can run off screens and traverse close outs like a guard/wing, and of course his shooting stroke. There is legitimate potential for a KAT and Markannen PnR. That would be unguardable. Imagine a close game where we have two 7 footers that can screen for the mismatch and attack the basket, pop out to the three, or make the right pass.

Collins is more intriguing every time I watch him, but I still come away concerned about his fit. I see a definite 5 with him, which we already are being forced to play two in Dieng and Towns. He is athletic, smart, has a well rounded offensive game, good defender, and his effort is undeniable. But I can't get passed 17 mins per game, 4 or so huge games, and his redundancy. I'd be pleased to have him, but I'd opt for Markannen first.

I watch the current NBA and always come away with the same thought. Individual offense far outweighs individual defense. Markannen has the potential to be an offensive stud and make us a juggernaut on that end. Sure, he may not be able to stick with all small ball fours, but he can force the issue to the opposing team. Id prefer to win by dictating vs. reacting.

Thanks for this breakdown. I know this is a tough one to answer but after your research how do you feel about Collins offensive potential?

[TheFuture]

I think Collins will stretch his game out to the 3pt line and be passable there. He already has good footwork and a number of post moves to either hand. I think he will be a good player, with a long career, but nothing special. A better nick collision. I see the greatest position and potential for him being a center. I don't see the ballhandIngram or shooting stroke to be a modern 4. I'd welcome him to our team if we didn't already have Dieng and Towns who both project at being a 5 long term.

[Monster]

I think Collins will stretch his game out to the 3pt line and be passable there. He already has good footwork and a number of post moves to either hand. I think he will be a good player, with a long career, but nothing special. A better nick collision. I see the greatest position and potential for him being a center. I don't see the ballhandIngram or shooting stroke to be a modern 4. I'd welcome him to our team if we didn't already have Dieng and Towns who both project at being a 5 long term.

That's really similar to how I feel about him too although I think there is this part of me that wonders if he can bust out and be a really good player. I see him offensively being pretty versatile somewhere between Towns and Dieng. It think Collins might be more explosive than Towns athletically but Towns is just so smooth and skilled. I know Dieng gets ripped for his ability on the perimeter but if he had Collins athletic ability it would be interesting to see how he would do. I think Collins moved better than Poetl and he actually moves well for a guy that big. There likely isn't a perfect prospect available at 7 (Mr. Obvious!!!) so you have to decide what consession you want to make and how that player would fit. It think that's why so many mocks had Markkanen here. It makes plenty of sense. It would be nice to nail this pick but also just getting a pretty good rotation player that actually matters would be a good thing as well.