Draft Grades

[Volans19]

I give the Wolves a C-

- LaVine is a huge question mark but has good potential. I think we should have went with Harris though. I'll give the pick a C+

- Robinson was a good value pick. Hard to see how he fits on the roster with all our wing players. Shabazz and him will be fighting for playing time. This pick gets a B

- Selling two second rounders. We should have at least stashed one. F

[foye2smith [enjin:6593248]]

Similar to you. C+ for me.

"B-" for the Lavine pick. Might as well swing for the fences. If he turns out to be a compatible running partner with Rubio I think he'll quickly become a fan favorite the way some clung on to hope for Derrick Williams. Not a ringing endorsement but even Williams detractors couldn't deny there was something to their connection.

"C+" for GRIII. Just a solid value at 40. Hopefully not, but you can envision similarities to last year's draft I that Flip when home run attempt first then possibly followed with a double hit on a rope. You can just see GRIII taking a secondary role, accepting it, and perhaps surpass what little expectations the wolves have for him.

"I" for selling the picks. If Flip winds up buying out Barea or Shved for partial of their remaining contract opening up a roster space for some fresh blood it will be because the money Taylor picked up will make it an easier pill to swallow.

[worldK]

B for me.

I like the lavine pick.B+ for that. The guy can be a star. I know there are other players that posters here may prefer. But were looking at potential randy foye, mo peterson, jarvis hayes with the rest of those available. Il take my chances with a guy that has the tools to be a star @ 13 than rotation guys.

B for taking robinson.He was the best player available anbd gives us another athlete. If were building around rubio then flip got the guys that will fit with rubio.

I dont feel bad as the rest are in us selling the 2nd rounders.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Overall Grade: B

LaVine: B-

I like that Flip went for the homerun. LaVine does have star potential even if it's for the simple facts that he's abnormally explosive and can shoot the ball at a good rate. He needs to work on everything else basketball-wise and also needs to gain at least 20 pounds of muscle. I don't like that he's 6'5-ish and 180. Too thin. Get him in the weight room with Gorgui.

Robinson: A

Didn't expect him to be available, but he has Kawhi Leonard potential in that he's going to be a very good role player and has the "want to" to get better. Another good athlete for Rubio, GRIII was the main lob target at Michigan for Nik Stauskas. Outstanding cutter. Works his ass off on defense. We're going to love this pick, I feel.

Selling Two 2nd Rounders: D

Flip says he tried to trade both of them for future 2nds, but nobody bit and he didn't see a Euro worth stashing. I hate that he said that considering a guy I really liked was right there for the taking at 44 (Nikola Jokic). I would be fine with selling 53 had we picked Jokic at 44. Instead, it seems like another wasted asset. The only reason this isn't an F is because I hope it leads to Flip getting rid of Barea/Mbah a Moute/Bud in some way. Don't ask me how. I don't know if there's a buyout or anything of that nature.

EDIT: Jokic went one pick after GRIII at 41. My apologies.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I give this draft a D, and that's rounding up for the potential everyone keeps telling me LaVine has. LaVine is the most unusual lottery pick I can ever remember seeing. Can anyone else give a comparable lottery pick in the history of the NBA who had all these attributes:

1) Didn't start half of the games in his draft year
2) Averaged less than 10 points a game in his draft year, and had no other impressive stats
3)Completely crapped the bed in the NCAA tournament

I understand that he has jaw dropping workout skills, but so did Rodney Williams. If the NBA changes the rules this year, and awards points for highlight dunks when nobody else is on the court, then I will agree LaVine was a terrific pick.

On the positive side, he seems like a nice, humble kid and based on his interview, is thrilled to be playing for Flip Saunders. I believe it when his agent says this was his first choice of teams to play for. I only hope that we long-suffering fans will be half as happy he is here as he is.

As for our second pick, I see Robinson as a competent, but not exceptional, college player, who doesn't do anything particularly well. He's kind of what I expect in a second round pick, and I don't see him making the roster.

I had no problem with selling the 2 second round picks, as I saw nobody with a chance to make the roster.

I am one of Flip's biggest advocates on this board and haven't found anything to criticize in his first year+ as GM, but I am stunned by this draft. I normally don't like to listen to Bill Simmon's opinion, but this time I agree with his negative assessment of Flip's draft.

[Monster]

Overall B-

LaVine C

I'm not sold on him but I am conflicted. On the other hand I wasn't really sold on any of the guys in this range. pick a name out of a hat I just didn't see one guy that really stood out as the guy. Harris looks good, but he isn't even 6'4" which is a problem.

Glen Robinson A

He was one of the guys I wanted for months. after he measured with a little less length than I thought he moved down some, but I figured end of the first very early 2nd...and we got him at #40. great. He is a great athlete already plays like a role player has some legit skills likes to play defense. good floor and I think he does have some nice upside. Love this pick.

Selling the picks F

Like others have said selling 1 pick ok, but selling both, ugh. I mean the reality is it probably won't matter becasue those guys are a long shot, but it seems weird they didn't at least pick one euro guy. I'm not going to burn down anything becasue we sold picks, but it is frustrating.

Having said all that I think it was a nice draft. LaVine seems to be a guy with some nice upside and then you get a guy like Lil Big Dog who has been productive in college and is still young in the 2nd great. Its gonna be a fun summer league.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

As for our second pick, I see Robinson as a competent, but not exceptional, college player, who doesn't do anything particularly well. He's kind of what I expect in a second round pick, and I don't see him making the roster.

He's going to be on the roster. Flip thinks of him as a first round talent. He's probably our second or third most athletic player on the roster. Would be foolish to dump him. If he tweaks his shot a little bit, he's going to be a huge steal. Turned 20 years old earlier this year. Love this pick.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

As for our second pick, I see Robinson as a competent, but not exceptional, college player, who doesn't do anything particularly well. He's kind of what I expect in a second round pick, and I don't see him making the roster.

He's going to be on the roster. Flip thinks of him as a first round talent. He's probably our second or third most athletic player on the roster. Would be foolish to dump him. If he tweaks his shot a little bit, he's going to be a huge steal. Turned 20 years old earlier this year. Love this pick.

I think his only chance of making the roster is if Flip finds a way to move a couple of our SF's. I know we malign Robbie Hummel and some of the others, but the simple fact is Hummel, Shabazz, Bud and Brewer were all substantially more productive than Robinson in college. Scoring, rebounding, shooting...you pick the stat, and I'll show you how Robinson falls short of the current Wolves. As he should, because the guys we already have were all picked higher than Robinson (except perhaps Hummel). I think Robinson makes the roster over Robbie perhaps, but I don't see him beating out the other four. How many SFs do you think we need?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

As for our second pick, I see Robinson as a competent, but not exceptional, college player, who doesn't do anything particularly well. He's kind of what I expect in a second round pick, and I don't see him making the roster.

He's going to be on the roster. Flip thinks of him as a first round talent. He's probably our second or third most athletic player on the roster. Would be foolish to dump him. If he tweaks his shot a little bit, he's going to be a huge steal. Turned 20 years old earlier this year. Love this pick.

I think his only chance of making the roster is if Flip finds a way to move a couple of our SF's. I know we malign Robbie Hummel and some of the others, but the simple fact is Hummel, Brewer, Shabazz, Bud and Brewer were all substantially more productive than Robinson in college. Scoring, rebounding, shooting...you pick the stat, and I'll show you how Robinson falls short of the current Wolves. As he should, because the guys we already have were all picked higher than Robinson (except perhaps Hummel). I think Robinson makes the roster over Robbie perhaps, but I don't see him beating out the other four. How many SFs do you think we need?

Three competent ones would be nice. I see Corey... and then who else? Budinger may never be the player he once was, not like he was great anyway. Mbah a Moute is good on defense, but head-scratching on offense. We have faith in Muhammad being a scoring option, but Robinson is a more well-rounded player than him easily, in my opinion. Hummel has no chance of sticking over Robinson, by the way.

So, I'd like to see Mbah a Moute dumped or bought out. Brewer/Budinger/Muhammad/Robinson would be what I hope for.

[Monster]

As far as SF being crowded I see Mbah a Moute as a guy thats going to play minutes at PF basically taking over what Dante did or should have been doing last year. Brewer can play as a SG and lets be real this team has no legit SF. Robinson might not be that guy either, but I like the guy. He is better on the court than his stats show. He moves without the ball well too and is a sick athlete.