It’s been an emotional and gut-wrenching week in the NBA. That makes the draft lottery seem like a distant memory but in fact that annual event was conducted a little over a week ago.
The Timberwolves snared the top prize, though there’s no consensus on which player should go off the board first.
As we noted this week, Georgia freshman shooting guard Anthony Edwards would seem like a natural fit alongside D’Angelo Russell. He’s got the ability to be a prolific scorer and defender.
However, it’s not out of the question that the Timberwolves could go with point guard LaMelo Ball. The Thunder successfully juggled three point guards in their backcourt this season and the team they’re facing, the Rockets, has two ball-dominant guards in James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Big man James Wiseman, who had a brief and controversial stint at Memphis, is generally considered the best big man on the board. Naturally, the Timberwolves’ best player is Karl-Anthony Towns and big man duos are increasingly being phased out in favor of small ball. Wiseman, though, might be too talented to pass up.
Minnesota could try to move down if another lottery team covets a certain player but that scenario seems less likely than in previous years. The Timberwolves could get bold and take a wild card such as Israeli forward Deni Avdija or Dayton’s Obi Toppin. Those reaches rarely pan out, with the 2013 draft a prime example (Anthony Bennett).
That brings us to our question of the day: If the Timberwolves hold onto the No. 1 pick, should they take Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball or James Wiseman? Or is there another prospect that should leapfrog that trio?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
I like the idea of trading with the Knicks for the 8th pick and a future first if they arent completely sold on Edwards –
It will cost more than just a future first to move up from 8 to 1. The Doncic/Young deal was for a future first and that was only a jump from 5 to 3. It would cost at least Knox and Smith/Frank N plus a future unprotected or top 4 protected 1.
Of course, if the Knicks made THAT offer, Minny should jump on it. It could give them some roster depth that still has a little upside.
Knicks have draft dream and really want to use an injection of excitement to trade for the kid with the celebrity last name
Trade for Booker
Unless you are talking Melvin, the #1 in this draft ain’t getting Booker.
Towns and DLo don’t play defense
I agree with dealing first overall pick Edwards
And also Trade Beasley and Juan for defenders
Thanks Dana for calling Bennett a reach. Some think he was lauded, like the similar-built Titanic. But he was a dumb pick even in a bad draft year and the GM at the time was not even confident, but said he did not get an offer to trade down.
(CJ McCollum from near Cleveland was top ten, Olidipo from Indiana was the ‘name’ choice… ouch. I liked Terence Ross, GM Chris Grant liked the okay centers but signed Andrew Bynum instead, and Giannis went #15.)
I do not get posters who think D’Lo and Ball can combine. More likely they would hate each other. Towns would not object to playing forward however if they took a center. MIN would benefit from a defensive-minded 2G like Okogie or Culver but inscrutable Edwards probably fits, good or bad.
I blasted MIN earlier and I think the new buyer should get involved quickly. A trade-down would not hurt.
Yeah I agree. I was reading every mock draft made back in 2013 and I don’t remember any of them that had Bennett higher than 4. He was usually slotted into either 4 or 5. Of course, mocks are not terribly reliable and are just someone’s opinion, but the consensus is usually pretty close. Bennett is probably the biggest surprise #1 pick probably since Bargnani.
Bargnani wasnt even that surprising when you look at the guy who drafted him. At least he was a consistent starter though, Bennett cant even keep 12th man.
Fair point. What I should have said was that at that time it was surprising for a European player to go #1 since it had never happened before.
No one and I mean no one thought Giannis would end up being as good as he is.
He could have just as likely ended up as the Brazillian Kevin Durant.
Bruno’s time is coming, hes just a year away from being a year away.
Edwards is not only a great fit. He is worthy of first pick. He’s gotta be the pick. Trading down is not a bad option. I you really believe in Beasley. They also have Langford there. So picking up a wing or PF. Plus another player. Makes them a deeper team. How far down you go. No one is trading up for Ball. It’s either Edwards or Wiseman. So which teams would do it.
Celtics would love Wiseman. Got three #1s
Hornets would love Wiseman.
Bulls might want Wiseman.
Hawks would love Edwards.
Pistons would for Wiseman
But who’s got the right package.
Be wiser to take Edwards. Warriors are now on Clock
Yeah drafting a guy that can’t shoot & doesn’t play defense is a great idea. In college he was a lot more athletic then almost everyone he faced & he was allowed to be a ball hog so of course he’d put up some numbers. In the NBA his athletic advantage is gone because he’ll be playing against grown men not college kids. With D-lo n Kat on the team he won’t be able to ball hog so how’s he going to contribute? Kat & D-lo need versatile ball players around them that can do multiple things & don’t necessarily need the ball a lot to contribute. It’s so obvious that Anthony Edwards is the opposite of what they need. They literally just got rid off a better version Edwards when they trade Wiggins.
TWolves will need defenders to go with Russell and KAT.
How about a wild card option.
Victor Oladipo and TJ McConnell for the 1st overall pick and Jacob Evans.
Oladipo is off a big injury and when he came back he didn’t look his best but pre injury he was amazing. I mean he was good for 20-5-5 while being a great defender and clutch shooter too.
His contract for 21mil and 2 years would be cheap but risky cause it’s short. He would give the Wolves a 3rd star and great defender and McConnell would be a solid back up PG.
Indy might take the deal for many reasons, firstly in order to get some FA money. After the went out to the Heat 4-0 it was clear this team can’t just run it back it needs a little fixing. Oladipo has a huge injury and wasn’t his old self after the return. I DT would be able to take either Ball or Edwards who would be solid fits with Malcom Brogdan in the backcourt. Indy have a promising young group too, Aaron Holiday 23, Tj Warren 26, Myles Turner 24, Sabonis 24 of you add Ball or Edwards to this group your going to be really solid
Another option which hasn’t been mentioned is
Kelly Oubre plus the suns 10th pick for the 1st pick and Jarrett Culver
Suns get the chance to get another young star to pair with Booker and Ayton. Either Ball or Edwards or Toppin would be a great pick. Plus they get Culver who struggled as a rookie but with help from Booker maybe he improves back to his college level.
For the Wolves Kelly Oubre is from the same draft class as Russell and Towns so maybe there is so kind of friendship there, he would be a good 3rd piece as a wing who can defend and score. With the 10th pick they could get someone like Precious Achiwura who would be a solid PF, a big body kid that finishes well at the rim and is really strong but raw.
Kelly oubre for the #1 pick? Put down the bottle. Cmon!!
It would be number 1 pick in a weak draft plus a high draft pick which looked bad for Oubre who burst out last year and the 10th pick.
It was more I don’t see great value in the draft and your better trading the pick for a player who will give you wins and points.
Never trade lottery picks for injury prone players or has had injuries in just the previous years
Oladipo is interesting.
Haha I’m dying move down 9 spots plus give them last years top 10 pick who they traded multiple assets to get for Kelly god dam Oubre are F’n kidding me? That is easily one of the dumbest trade suggestions in sports history.
# 1 pick Value = John Collins
Ben Simmons value = #1 pick + 2021 pick + salary
Wolves don’t have enough value to get 3rd all star
If they can get Collins and Atlanta’s #6 pick I would do it in a heartbeat. Especially if Collins is above average or better at defense. I don’t get to watch much Hawks basketball but I looked over his game by game numbers and they are really really impressive. So impressive though I have to question why Atlanta didn’t win more games & wonder if his numbers are empty like I consider KATs to be. Guys can put up all the numbers they want but if they don’t contribute to winning what’s the point.
I’d literally wait until draft night and see how desperate someone gets otherwise take Ball or Edwards, even Wiseman if you see him as significantly better than those two.
Sillivan Predictions (based on what will happen)
1. Edwards
2. Wiseman
3. Ball
4. Deni Avdija
5. Okongwu
Toppin was an adult and was playing with a lot of kids (teenagers). He was 3 or 4 years older than these guys.
I think trade involving Oladipo is an intriguing one. I am scared of the reports that Edwards doesn’t play hard, that he may not be hungry. We wolves fans have PTSD from 6 years of Wiggins; please, please don’t draft another guy who won’t play hard. I expect them to trade down or take Okongwu or someone else—I don’t see any of these supposed top three guys being good fits for the wolves.
ESPN compares Edwards to Wiggins.
I think Oladipo is available.
How about Ingram?
Both teams sign and trade
#1 pick, Beasley and Johnson for Ingram
People need to think before typing. Brandon Ingram’s 2019-2020 so far- he was the centerpiece of the Anthony Davis trade, he made his 1st all star appearance & just won NBA most improved player award while averaging over 23 ppg. Oh & he’s 23 years old & a great fit with Zion & you think they are gonna trade him for Malik Beasley & who ? Another Ball brother or maybe Anthony Edwards who will never even be as good as Andrew Wiggins let alone Brandon Ingram.
Good point about Edwards. A prospective change in ownership makes trading down less likely— having a #1 pick on board increases value. Could it land a star?— Collins would be like Butler about Towns and company. Wiseman looks wise, what can I say. He doesn’t need to ball to go through him, allows Towns to roam more, puts Towns against smaller opponents, backs up everyone’s poor defense, looks good to someone forking over billions with a B.
Guess I changed my mind!
Like others indicate, they should wait out a possible GM with a star getting desperate to trade, and if not, take Wiseman. Sorry Warriors!
I was re-figuring while typing.
Wiseman is a fast center and won’t slow down a team. He would probably succeed in a wide-open style. His ankle problem was minor and different from Greg Oden’s shins. The twin towers scheme is not trendy but could keep the Wolves from backsliding. Anyway Towns likes to shoot deep.
The Warriors aren’t taking Wiseman. They might draft him and trade him. But, he won’t be in a Dubs uni next season.
Actually I already had them trading down to #6 anyway.
Okongwu and Toppin are both great fits for KAT. Okongwu maybe better cause of his D. Plus they can get another pick or player. One thing we as fans. We never truly know their hearts and attitudes. Great talent don’t mean great work ethic.
True, but MIN would have to risk a reach-pick or a trade-down. GM Rosas had Covington for work ethic but moved him. Probably Taylor will intervene with a franchise valuation in mind.
Let’s hope Taylor stays the hell out of the process…His wisdom in meddlin with Joe Smith cost this team for YEARS…
Wiggins scouting report 6 years ago is identical to Edwards reports this year.
Edwards negatives- Doesn’t shoot well, average FT shooter, looks disinterested on defense, can be a ball hog, doesn’t really contribute anything without the ball in his hands. Average rebounder & passer.
Edwards positives- super athletic, beast in transition, can jump high. That’s all of the positives. He shot 40% on 2 pointers n 28% on 3’s. Both are really really bad especially 40% on 2’s. That means he’s not getting easy shots and he likely doesn’t finish well at the hoop. In comparison Wiggins was 48% at 2’s & 34% from 3. If Edwards one college season is worse then Andrew flipping Wiggins one season he shouldn’t even be in consideration for the top 5.
Let’s say one team is trying to trade away a star.
Ben Simmons, Embiid, Beal, Davis, Giannis …….
Warriors have more assets to attach, and can outbid Wolves.
Wolves won’t trade away Towns and DLo
What do the warriors have to trade if not curry or klay?
The Warriors have Wiggins and the #2 pick
The Wolves have the #1 and Beasley
Wiggins is overpaid right now, but of the 2 players, if motivated by the right coach, he is a far superior player. And Beasley will probably end up being overpaid as well.
GTFOH Wiggins is one of the worst players in the league because of his advanced numbers on offense and defense are ridiculously bad. Outside of playing with 2 superstars like Curry N Thompson plus Draymond, Wiggins will never be on a winning team. If GSW think some team is gonna think of Wiggins as an asset they watch to much ESPN. He is paid max money for what 3? 4? more years and he will never ever ever contribute even half of what a max player must contribute to warrant making that much money. If the warriors keep him he can help them as a scoring threat for their second unit but if he’s asked to be a max player for them or anyone else he will fail because he’s not a max player.
Warriors should draft LaMelo.
Everyone should draft Lamelo as he is the #1 pick in most mock drafts! Hardly words of wisdom, just stating facts dude!
I hope they do. I don’t want Ball in Charlotte. I’d be estatic if Edwards or Wiseman instead fell to #3.
Edwards seems like the most logical fit to me. Russel Edwards culver Kat to build around need a veteran 4 shooting back up sg/sf point and your set on paper just need them to gel
Why would you want to replace Andrew Wiggins spot with a player that put up worse numbers in college then Wiggins put up & who’s strengths and weaknesses are almost identical to what was said about Wiggins. Can’t shoot, doesn’t seem interested in playing defense, doesn’t contribute anything without the ball, just an average rebounder and passer. Oh but he’s super athletic and can run fast and jump really high. He used his athletic advantage to put up numbers against college kids. Guess what happens to the kid n his athletic advantage when he goes against grown men who are all athletic. Just look at Wiggins career and you will see Edwards future.
Gersson Rosas will not be fleeced into trading for the PED suspended Collins or the damaged Dipo.
I guess minnie will try to trade down like from #5-#10 in exchange of everything… And then take one of the F available.
But i also Guess few teams from 5 to 10 will offer a lot to minnie
Wolves looked decent with the two Denver players in their starting 5. Beasley and Juan are good fits for today’s game. Wolves definitely need another wing. Probably Edwards is worth the stretch. Or use the number one to trade for an established veteran which the wolves could use. Russell, Beasley, ?, Juan, Towns.
When both Towns an DLo On the floor，Juan and Beasley won’t score many points
No Wolves is going to play defense due to injury risk? No, they can’t play defense
What does Edwards provide with Towns and D-lo in the floor? You think he can score a lot with them. Edwards had to be a ball hog to put up the numbers that make you clowns think he’s good. Kat doesn’t need the inefficient scorer they finally got rid of replaced by the exact same type of player. How can you people not understand that. They need shooters and defenders around them. They need versatile players around them. Edwards is literally the opposite of versatile. Hope y’all love losing cause drafting Edwards will be the nail in KATs Timberwolves coffin. They will lose 50+ games again the next two seasons and then it will be demand trade time.
I don’t see any team in the top 10 of this draft trading up for significant consideration. It’s a deep draft, and the consensus is there is no real top. There won’t be much in the way of pre-draft workouts that might rejigger that. It’s always possible a team might like a certain player more than the current consensus, but, historically, that’s not a reason a team will give up significant consideration to move up. The market for the top picks is just that, a market. This year it’s a buyer’s market.
Warriors are targeting 5 to 8th pick and next year top 3 protected pick
They can target what they please. Absent a seismic shift in perception of one of the players available at #2, I don’t think they come close to that.
Knicks would absolutely take this trade
Knicks land 2
Warriors land 8 and Mavs 2021 unprotected First
Yes, the Mavs’ pick is a possibility, because they figure to be a playoff team. Still, I would think there would be some protection (lower of the Knicks’ two 2021 picks perhaps), and it would have to be a player that was worth both that pick in a better draft plus the additional cap space needed to sign him.
Teams do not move up that far for that little. The cost for Dallas to move from 5 to 3 was a first rounder the next year. And that was just 2 spots. Moving up 6 or 7 spots will cost the Knicks probably a player or two along with 1-2 firsts.
There’s no set price. Dallas moved up at least one, arguably two, tiers. It was 2/2/rest draft. There’s no Doncic (or Ayton) in this draft (nor any Bagley or Jackson). But there’s at least as much depth through the middle of the round, maybe more.
There’s no set price, but GMs are not stupid either. And there kind of is a set price. You are not going to get an outrageous Zion-type price, but teams are not just going to give away top 2 picks either.
GMs aren’t (or shouldn’t be) stupid on either side. You don’t just give away real assets for better draft position if you can get an equivalent prospect in your current spot, and do it at lower salary and cap number. The #2 pick will get a salary starting at 9 mm/yr, while the #8 pick will get one of 5 mm/yr. That difference gets escalated for 3 more years. Maybe you don’t remember the 2006 and 2013 drafts. Everyone wanted to trade down. The winners (those that got to) didn’t get much.
I remember the 2006 draft. I also remember that the team that traded up to #2 got LaMarcus Aldridge, the best player out of that draft. Portland fell in love with him and he would not have been there at #4. THAT is why teams will trade up. That trade was only a move up of 2 spots but Portland had to part with Victor Khryapa, at the time a really highly thought of prospect. Moving up 6 spots would have cost a lot more.
Khryapa was a late first rounder some drafts prior, and was considered a bust. He was not a big factor in the deal. Chicago gave a 2nd rounder in addition to #2. Chicago was interested mostly in a lower salary for Thomas. Foye and Roy were swapped for each other and nothing else. Moving up 6 spots will cost something, but it won’t be close to an unprotected pick from the Knicks or a similar likely lottery bound team.
He was NOT considered a bust at the time. He was considered to be on the upswing after a decent run in Portland the year before. Obviously he didn’t work out as planned, but I remember watching that draft and hearing people talking about how great Khryapa could become in Chicago.
Warriors would propose this trade
Knicks get 2, 48, 51 and 2021 Wolves 2nd round
Warriors get 8, both first round picks from Mavs
Then Warriors will trade Mavs pick and TE for another young players
They probably do take Edward’s. And they could trade Johnson and 17 for… Randle, A Gordon, Thad Young. Not a lot of 4s in the 16M range. They could put a few more pieces together and trade for Draymond 22.5M.
Knicks would inject a new excitement to Randle for 17th pick trade
ESPN compares Edwards to Wiggins
Funny thing is that If Wolves take Wiseman at 1
Warriors would have 2 Wiggins
Warriors would be happy with Ball. Kerr has the system for him, the new Shaun Livingston at least since Curry needs a backup. Better than two Wigginses lol
The Warriors don’t like Ball. He is suspect defensively.
What makes you think they are going to draft Edwards?
Should take Edwards, but will take Ball.
Timberpuppies not afraid to take MULTIPLE PG’s in round one (David K——–AAAAA—–HHH——-NN)
This from the team whose 1st ever draft choice was a PG named POOH !!
This article is dated Aug 4. But the player ranking boards. Are from the end of college season. These are 7 of the top draft boards around. Look where they had Ball then. What has happened since then. Nothing but hype and talk. Look how far down he is at times. I’m not one who believes the hype. I let my eyes do the work. Have always said he is not top 10 talent. But I can see someone take a chance on him. He is still very young. I just wouldn’t.
link to hoopshype.com
ESPN had him 24. Now they have him at 3.
Only one who had him consistently high was NBAdraft.net. at 4 Now they have him at 2.
SI.com had him 27 Now they have him at 4.
So even based on season he had. Does he really jump that much. Cole Anthony went the opposite way. And he was hurt and still had better numbers.
“Don’t believe the Hype” . Watch his video
He’s grown since HS. He has upside. He was a scorer in HS. So you’d think he can find his shot. At best to me he is 4 yrs away from showing up. That’s not top picks material to me
Lamelo’s skinniness was a big problem until he grew a little. That reads as like a justification for being skinny— it’s because he’s growing. As it stands he is only effective in a free-flowing type of game but that is trending.
As FOs think, But who can be the next transcendent player, his stock rises and his stats get explained away.
All I have are clips, but I think he will make other players better by getting them the ball where they’re going not where they’ve been. Kind of an automatic & accurate anticipation.
Of course initially that will mean turnovers! And, he will get subbed out in crunch times until he fills out.
Trade down , gain more assets , draft Double O , and then grab A back up point guard.
S&T Beasley + 17 to the Knicks for #8 + contracts to match (Gib, Payton, Ellington.
Take Toppin or Okoro at 8. Take Edward’s #1.
Gives them a lot more cap flex. AND it will give them probably around 36M in trade value in expiring contracts and ha e better draft capital. Enough to go for broke on Blake Griffin, Tobias Harris, Beal, Hield, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward.
Onyeka would fit the Wolves the best I feel…..trading down like I said would be best…Evan Turner and James Johnsons contacts would be nice to dump , plus make room for rookies. They could well end up with 3/4 new rookies and really change the look of this team defensively. Patrick Williams in late first round would be a great fit also. Might be the best wing defender in the draft.
If no trade down scenerio’s are good I guess go with Edwards.
Why do you want to replace Andrew Wiggins with a player that is almost the same except he’s an even worse shooter then then Wiggins was. Do you even know Edwards game or do you just listen to other people. The first thing you hear about Edwards is not a great shooter, the second thing you hear is he has to have the ball in his hands to contribute. The third thing you hear is he’s not a great defender. So he can’t shoot or defend. Awesome and you people want him at number 1 overall. Wake the F up! He’s literally the exact opposite of what they need to surround Kat and D-lo with. Shooting and defense is what they lack most and all you fools want the guy that can’t shoot or play defense. Y’all should be embarrassed
Perhaps trade down take the FSU Vassell and perhaps another top 15 pick this year in addition to our own 17. We have no first round next year
Oladipo is out there. I guess he would have to agree to contract extension with Minny. Beasley and the #1 pick and a future pick. Might do it. Best to keep that 17th pick. There will a PF like Turner there. Oladipo is ready now. And is a good mix with DAngelo. Since both are scoring PGs. Picking up a PF also makes this a successful draft.