Minnesota Sports Forum

Would anyone else want him if we end up with the 13th pick?

Love his game. Think he's a very talented player, but no. IF/WHEN we have a lottery pick, I'm aiming for Zach LaVine as my first choice and Gary Harris second. McDermott seems like a stretch four in the NBA. It'd be the D-Will situation all over again with him behind Love. He's also not a great athlete, and we already have that lack of athleticism problem. McDermott can't guard SFs either so no way he can play with Love and Pek.

Again, love to watch him, but hopefully not on this team. He's got a floor of Robbie Hummel and a ceiling of Kevin Love without the elite passing/rebounding. He'll probably level out as a Ryan Anderson guy. I know those two names get thrown around with every stretch four, but he really does fit that mold.

Camden wrote: McDermott seems like a stretch four in the NBA. It'd be the D-Will situation all over again with him behind Love.

One of the most common misconceptions among basketball fans is that Kevin Love was somehow holding Derrick Williams back. Williams just wasn't that good. We desperately needed PF production last season and he couldn't provide it (at least in a way that helped the team). This year he was actually stuck behind Dante Cunningham (and now Jason Thompson).

If you're stuck behind Cunningham and Jason Thompson, you're gonna be stuck behind somebody on every NBA team. Bottom line is if Adelman thought Williams could be an effective bench player, he would still be here.

kms789 wrote:

Camden wrote: McDermott seems like a stretch four in the NBA. It'd be the D-Will situation all over again with him behind Love.

One of the most common misconceptions among basketball fans is that Kevin Love was somehow holding Derrick Williams back. Williams just wasn't that good. We desperately needed PF production last season and he couldn't provide it (at least in a way that helped the team). This year he was actually stuck behind Dante Cunningham (and now Jason Thompson).

If you're stuck behind Cunningham and Jason Thompson, you're gonna be stuck behind somebody on every NBA team. Bottom line is if Adelman thought Williams could be an effective bench player, he would still be here.

I 100% and completely agree that D-Will just wasn't that good. I've said it multiple times that I fault Williams for not being the player he should have been rather than fault Adelman for how he used him. D-Will got minutes; he got PT; he never produced like a No. 2 overall pick should. My comparison is only there to bring focus on wasting a lottery pick at a position you don't have a huge need at. With Love being here (saying that for right now), we'd be drafting McDermott to give us 15 minutes max off the bench. Practically the same situation we were in with D-Will; only difference is some hoped D-Will could play SF. No way could McDermott play SF. I'd rather get a play-making wing if possible. That's where I bring up LaVine and Harris.

There's no question that Harris and LaVine have more NBA upside than McDermott, but there's also no question that neither will be available when the Wolves pick. If the Wolves get a pick this year, it will be likely be around 12 or 13...there are just too many terrible teams that are almost certain to finish behind us. All mock drafts have Harris as a top 10 pick, and the ones that currently don't have LaVine as a top 10 will slot him there once they do their homework...he's an athletic freak that can also score efficiently in many ways. The only reason Lavine is only averaging 12 points a game is that he defers to the older guys...only takes about 9 shots a game.

So, of the guys who are likely to be available at 12 or 13, I would like them to seriously consider McDermott. He has put up unbelievable stats in all four of his years, and not against creampuffs either. He has never shot under 50% or below 40% on threes, and has never averaged less than 7 rebounds a game. And his scoring average has gone up every year and is currently at 24.8. Cam is correct that he will not be able to guard NBA small forwards, but I think he can get 20-25 minutes off the bench either backing up Love or playing with him if we go smaller.

Cam gave him a floor and ceiling of Hummel and Love, but I don't see nearly that wide a range. McDermott is never going to be a great NBA defender, but I don't think there are any players that might be available at 12-13 who are as much of a sure thing offensively. I see him as a Ryan Anderson clone...deadeye shooter and efficient scorer, but below average defender. Anderson was the 21st pick in his draft because he wasn't nearly the college player McDermott has been, and I think the Wolves would be lucky to get a reliable scorer off the bench like McDermott with a pick in the teens.

I always thought he was Wally 2.0.

Pretty good comparison, bleed. I think McDermott plays a lot smarter than Wally though...clearly a coach's son.

Well, of course it depends on draft order and where guys fall. LaVine and Harris are just two of my personal favorites for this class outside of Jabari and Wiggins. Let me rephrase and bring up some other guys that would be late lottery considerations by me for the Wolves.

- Shabazz Napier, PG, UCONN. Not sure if he's getting lottery love, but I'll go ahead and say I'd really like to have him. Would be a hell of a pickup and one that would hopefully force Flip to give Barea the boot. Napier's gotten better at practically everything each year. FG%, 3P%, FT%, PPG, APG, RPG, SPG and FTs made (gets to the line). Can score in different ways. Pull-up jumper, three pointer off the dribble, step-back jumper, penetrating the lane, drawing the foul. Exceptional ball-handler. Can get anywhere on the court. Just from watching him on TV you can tell he's got a really good feel for the game. Oh, and he's money in big moments. Several game-winners already this year.

- Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA. This guy does it all. Points, boards, assists, defense. Averaging 16/9/7 on the year with 52/53/76 shooting slashes. If he comes out in such a deep draft, somebody's getting a steal. Plays the game at his own pace. Never seems too ahead of himself. Court vision for a guy his age is off the charts. Reminds me a lot of Chandler Parsons except not as thin. Anderson's about 230-235. Not an excellent athlete, but a really good basketball player. I'd like to hear LST's thoughts on him. Pretty sure he watches more Bruin hoops than I do.

- Chris Walker, SF, Florida. He's an unknown prospect in the college ranks right now. Hasn't played a game this year due to academic setbacks coming out of high school, but he's about to be set free. Seems like a good guy, though, if you talk to him (which I have). Wants to live in the paint. Shot doesn't look like it'll ever be considered great, but can be improved. One of the best HS recruits in his class. Freakish athlete with length. Again, we don't have many, if any, above the rim players right now. That has to change. Potential is very high with him, though. Most mocks have him low first round, but I expect his stock to shoot up quickly.

Uh oh, the draft threads have started. Good God, I was hoping this wouldn't happen until we got booted from the playoffs. We should definitely try and deal Brewer/Bud/Barea (pick one of our killer b's) and the pick.

Camden wrote:

I 100% and completely agree that D-Will just wasn't that good. I've said it multiple times that I fault Williams for not being the player he should have been rather than fault Adelman for how he used him. D-Will got minutes; he got PT; he never produced like a No. 2 overall pick should. My comparison is only there to bring focus on wasting a lottery pick at a position you don't have a huge need at. With Love being here (saying that for right now), we'd be drafting McDermott to give us 15 minutes max off the bench. Practically the same situation we were in with D-Will; only difference is some hoped D-Will could play SF. No way could McDermott play SF. I'd rather get a play-making wing if possible. That's where I bring up LaVine and Harris.

I agree with pretty much all of that. The sad part is that even if we got a decent bench player out of this draft, it would be the best draft in 5 years.