2018 NBA Draft

[Monster]

Defensive mindset, toughness, shooting, lower body strength.....over and above actual production, those are the key attributes I want this team to prioritize. That Creighton guard seems to exhibit all four.

I've been thinking the same thing. And I love Khyri's shooting percentages 54% from the field and 41% from behind the arc. Add 1.7 steals in 31 minutes per game and you have an efficient scorer who also makes his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball. With 3 years of college under his belt, he's well prepared to possible make a difference for the Wolves right away. But mock drafts show him gone by the time the Wolves are on the clock.

My one reservation about Khyri Thomas is a review I read that questioned his ballhandling. I've never see him play and want to explore that issue more. One thing that's crystal clear is that you can't be a good NBA guard or wing unless you're a very good ballhandler. The really good ones handle the ball like it's part of them -- a motor skill developed very early in life. Donovan Mitchell is a great recent example of a recent rookie who displays that kind of ballhandling. I remember that was one of the things that caught my eye about Brandon Roy years ago when I put him at the top of my personal draft board.

Lip what I have seen on highlights I would say he Is the type of ball handler that is good enough to be good in transition and be at least a game manager type guard. He isn't a ball handling wizard but he has some moves. Probably what holds him back in the being able to create is more of his lack of explosiveness but he makes it up in strength.

It will be interesting to see who all ends up in this draft. I think the draft express guys said last week there were like 261 draft eligible players which sounds like a ton. Some guys will withdraw and go back to school. If you are an older Junior there is nothing to lose by going through the process and it could help you grow your game.

[mrhockey89]

I don't think it will matter. When I read into Layden's comments, it sounds awfully like they're planning on being super aggressive this offseason, and suggested the pick may become part of a larger deal.

I think everyone but KAT, Butler, and Taj are on the block, including our draft pick

[Lipoli390]

I don't think it will matter. When I read into Layden's comments, it sounds awfully like they're planning on being super aggressive this offseason, and suggested the pick may become part of a larger deal.

I think everyone but KAT, Butler, and Taj are on the block, including our draft pick

I haven't seen or heard their comments yet. But I'll probably have the same take-away when I do. This is what happens when your head coach is also your head front office guy. Thibodeau will use his position as PBO to serve his interests as head coach. Like any head coach, Thibodeau wants to win and win now. So I see the Wolves getting even older over the summer and trying to become a championship contender next season and maybe for a 2 year stretch. Many may be fine with that, but I'm not. It means casting our lot with Butler and KAT and I just don't think Butler is good enough or durable enough to count on as one of the two pillars of a team that can contend with the Rockets and Warriors for a championship.

I guess it ultimately depends on who the Wolves give up and who they get in return. I'm still in the camp not wasnting to deal KAT, Butler or even Wiggins this summer. I'd be interested thoughts on possible off-season trades, including Wiggins or not including him, that could move the needle for the Wolves are substantially increase our chances of contending for a championship.

[Monster]

I don't think it will matter. When I read into Layden's comments, it sounds awfully like they're planning on being super aggressive this offseason, and suggested the pick may become part of a larger deal.

I think everyone but KAT, Butler, and Taj are on the block, including our draft pick

I haven't seen or heard their comments yet. But I'll probably have the same take-away when I do. This is what happens when your head coach is also your head front office guy. Thibodeau will use his position as PBO to serve his interests as head coach. Like any head coach, Thibodeau wants to win and win now. So I see the Wolves getting even older over the summer and trying to become a championship contender next season and maybe for a 2 year stretch. Many may be fine with that, but I'm not. It means casting our lot with Butler and KAT and I just don't think Butler is good enough or durable enough to count on as one of the two pillars of a team that can contend with the Rockets and Warriors for a championship.

I guess it ultimately depends on who the Wolves give up and who they get in return. I'm still in the camp not wasnting to deal KAT, Butler or even Wiggins this summer. I'd be interested thoughts on possible off-season trades, including Wiggins or not including him, that could move the needle for the Wolves are substantially increase our chances of contending for a championship.

The snipets I read I agreed with Hockey but I just finished listening to the press conference and came away thinking...yeah they are looking at all options it didn't seem like they are significantly more aggressive than in the past. He said this is a good draft (who says a draft sucks? Lol) and it seemed like again all options were on the table and he talked about the trade getting Jimmy. So yeah if they can make another great deal sure they will. That's how I came away from it and I was honestly expected to feel a bit differently.

[Monster]

The draft is actually coming up in a few weeks. Next week is the combine. I haven't gotten too into researching guys because we don't know who is staying in yet. The Wolves have been doing some workouts and at least a couple guys are possibilities as fringe 1st round guys. There are going to be worthwhile players available with their picks. Can they select one of those guys? Idk but I feel somewhat positive about this draft despite not being at the top of it. I'm starting to get excited.

[WildWolf2813]

Watching the lotto tomorrow will be pressure free for once.

Yeah, I'm still a believer in Diallo. If they traded Wiggins, I could see Diallo being our 2nd chance at developing that kind of player without the lofty expectations.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Watching the lotto tomorrow will be pressure free for once.

Yeah, I'm still a believer in Diallo. If they traded Wiggins, I could see Diallo being our 2nd chance at developing that kind of player without the lofty expectations.

Yes, draft chatter around here isn't the same as it used to be in the days of yearly lottery picks. Still, these mid to late first rounders are hugely important. We see other good teams consistently find positive contributors from this part of the draft. We need to nail one of these for once. Tyus Jones is as close as we have come recently.

[WildWolf2813]

Watching the lotto tomorrow will be pressure free for once.

Yeah, I'm still a believer in Diallo. If they traded Wiggins, I could see Diallo being our 2nd chance at developing that kind of player without the lofty expectations.

Yes, draft chatter around here isn't the same as it used to be in the days of yearly lottery picks. Still, these mid to late first rounders are hugely important. We see other good teams consistently find positive contributors from this part of the draft. We need to nail one of these for once. Tyus Jones is as close as we have come recently.

Even the 48th pick needs to be someone we don't just automatically cut or throw to Iowa.

and I better not hear anyone say the team is too young, no more rookies.

[Lipoli390]

Watching the lotto tomorrow will be pressure free for once.

Yeah, I'm still a believer in Diallo. If they traded Wiggins, I could see Diallo being our 2nd chance at developing that kind of player without the lofty expectations.

Yes, draft chatter around here isn't the same as it used to be in the days of yearly lottery picks. Still, these mid to late first rounders are hugely important. We see other good teams consistently find positive contributors from this part of the draft. We need to nail one of these for once. Tyus Jones is as close as we have come recently.

Even the 48th pick needs to be someone we don't just automatically cut or throw to Iowa.

and I better not hear anyone say the team is too young, no more rookies.

I agree, Wildwolf. Any "we're too young" BS from anyone in our front office will make me vomit. When the season opens next October, here's what we'll have assuming no trades and resigning Belly:

Butler: Age 29, 7 yrs in the NBA
Teague: Age 30, 9 yrs in the NBA
Gibson: Age 33, 9 yrs in the NBA
Belly: Age 31, 3 yrs. in the NBA after many years as a pro in Europe
Gorgui: Age 28, 5 yrs in the NBA
Aldrich: Age 30, 8 yrs in the NBA
Wiggins: Age 23, 4 yrs in the NBA
Towns: Age 23, 3 yrs in the NBA
Jones: Age 22, 3 yrs in the NBA

We're obviously not too young to supplement the roster with draft picks. In fact, this roster needs an infusion of youth.

[Monster]

Watching the lotto tomorrow will be pressure free for once.

Yeah, I'm still a believer in Diallo. If they traded Wiggins, I could see Diallo being our 2nd chance at developing that kind of player without the lofty expectations.

Yes, draft chatter around here isn't the same as it used to be in the days of yearly lottery picks. Still, these mid to late first rounders are hugely important. We see other good teams consistently find positive contributors from this part of the draft. We need to nail one of these for once. Tyus Jones is as close as we have come recently.

Even the 48th pick needs to be someone we don't just automatically cut or throw to Iowa.

and I better not hear anyone say the team is too young, no more rookies.

I agree, Wildwolf. Any "we're too young" BS from anyone in our front office will make me vomit. When the season opens next October, here's what we'll have assuming no trades and resigning Belly:

Butler: Age 29, 7 yrs in the NBA
Teague: Age 30, 9 yrs in the NBA
Gibson: Age 33, 9 yrs in the NBA
Belly: Age 31, 3 yrs. in the NBA after many years as a pro in Europe
Gorgui: Age 28, 5 yrs in the NBA
Aldrich: Age 30, 8 yrs in the NBA
Wiggins: Age 23, 4 yrs in the NBA
Towns: Age 23, 3 yrs in the NBA
Jones: Age 22, 3 yrs in the NBA

We're obviously not too young to supplement the roster with draft picks. In fact, this roster needs an infusion of youth.

Oh yeah this team can use some youth and with the salary constraints they are facing its a pretty big deal to add young talent. Lip Aldrich is not going to be on this roster no matter how much LST wants to see him play. Lol Sorry that just made me crack up. :) I'm guessing Amile and or MGH is on the roster which adds to the youth movement but I'd also guess Rose is on the roster as well and he isn't exactly a young guy either.

To me the question of this draft at #20 is do you go for the highest ceiling guy or do you take someone you feel pretty good about being able to contribute something and likely being able to do it sooner rather than later. Last year they took more of a long play guy in Patton. There might be a project type with their 2nd rounder of maybe a guy that can help them sooner at that spot. I know where they are drafting in the 2nd is long shot territory but there will be some interesting players there.