Minnesota Sports Forum

http://www.twincities.com/2017/05/09/best-draft-fit-for-timberwolves-florida-states-jonathan-isaac-espns-fran-fraschilla-says/

TeamRicky wrote:http://www.twincities.com/2017/05/09/best-draft-fit-for-timberwolves-florida-states-jonathan-isaac-espns-fran-fraschilla-says/

I like the player, but for a team that needs beef it's hard for me to get fully on board with this. We already get pushed around so much. But he is a good prospect.

I don't see it with this kid, at least not anytime soon. Too skinny, too many question marks for me. I don't see the defender that some project, and I think he'll be a weak rebounder, especially if teams try to rely on him at the 4 or even the 5, which I've heard some podcasts saying he could play if the league keeps getting smaller. Maybe I'm wrong, because he is just a freshman, and he does seem to have a lot of support, but I'd be hesitant to take him.

I'm interested in him if we get a 3 and a 4 this summer to hold down the fort for 3 years to give Isaac time to bulk up. Otherwise I'm not excited about his early prospects because of his lack of beef if he is expected to be a rotation player in the next 2 years.

I'd be fine with Isaac if ultimately we can't find a good deal in a trade for him and he was playing behind enough vets not to be in the regular rotation (which is kind of my stance with any draft pick this year).

I do like his "do shit" stats, which everyone knows I put a high value on because I believe they translate more reliably to the NBA than shooting/scoring stats do.

As for his body, I really wish there was a test or way for team medical staffs to assess the likelihood of players to put on more muscle mass. Guys like Corey Brewer and Kevin Martin could never get much bigger or stronger. Then you have the Clint Capela's and Rudy Goberts that put on 20-30+ lbs. since their rookie years. Yeah, they are still reasonably skinny, but it is no longer a major impediment to their effectiveness.

The one good sign is that Isaac did put on about 20 lbs between high school and when he started college, so may be that's a good sign? Because I agree, right now, it's tough to see things like his rebounding translate if he doesn't put on a lot more weight.

So...if he was like 15 lbs heavier everyone would be on board with the pick?

Speaking of beef (from Khans' earlier comment), you know who I'm liking more and more? OG Anunoby.

His shot mechanics are stiff (so are Josh Jackson's), his FT% is ugly, and that knee injury is a question . . . .

. . . but man, put him in as a small-ball 4 and he can switch anything on D (he can guard 1-4, and probably even 5s). He'd give us some serious strength, quickness, and length on D where he picks up both blocks and steals. He can finish offensively at the rim at a high percentage without demanding a ton of shots (which fits our need for defense). I don't hold out a ton of hope for him as an outside shooter, but he has shot a pretty good percentage from outside in spot-up situations (45% from 3 as a freshman). Plus he's still young.

Given his projections, I wouldn't take him unless we traded down, and I'm not sure what scenario that would happen in. But I think a guy like that could be a good fit, and the kind of young guy Thibs might even play a bit because of his defense.

The dude has a crazy body. He's built like a brick house with a very solid base, he's 6'8" with a wingspan (reportedly) of 7'6"??? That's freaking HUGE. He's 3 inches shorter than Jonathan Isaac, but he has a wingspan 5 inches wider and he's got at least 30 pounds on him, and it looks like all fast-twitch muscle. He's got the weight and wingspan of a center but the quickness of a much smaller player.

No thanks.

Yes, please! Its hard not to like this kid. Great length, great quickness, terrific basketball IQ and plays hard on both ends and doesn't seem like the type to complain if he's not one of the top scoring options. Other than maybe Jackson or Fullz, he has as much upside as anyone. I've probably seen him slotted as our pick by more draft sites than anyone because I think they see him as as a "do shit" kind of guy who we desperately need since Wiggs and Lavine don't do much more than score. As for rebounding, he is the top rebounder per 36 of all the top ten prospects. I think he'll absolutely be able to rebound at a high level in the NBA. His high release point on his 3 point shooting is good to see too. Lots of guys who were labeled too skinny became great pros and I don't see any reason he can't bulk up. He's the same height (6"10) and weight (210) as Chris Bosh was as a draft prospect. By the way if you compare Bosh's and Isaac's college stats on a per 36 basis, their stats are pretty close.

I have a strong feeling he will be gone before 6, I have seen very little footage of him I should probably start since we're moving up next week!