2016 draft prospects

Mattya · Post #1 » by **Mattya** » Fri Aug 7, 2015 10:42 pm

Well we have a thread for the most optimistic of Wolves fans who think we are going to the playoffs, but I think we could also have a thread for those of us who still think we will be in the lotto. Wolves pick is protected 1-12. I think the top 8 of this draft could bring in some really nice prospects. Obviously we don't have a real quality big to put next to Towns yet. I don't think we will be picking top 5 unless we are lucky in the lotto and right now the top 5 is looking like Skal, Ingram, Simmons, Brown, and Bender. I think Skal or Dragan are probably the best fit in the draft for us, but I think Simmons and Ingram could also fit in really interesting ways. Then guys like Zhou Qi could give us a dream rim protecting pairing. Jamal Murray could move up the mocks even further, but he isn't the greatest fit outside of the Canadian Connection. Thon Maker is extremely raw, but has a lot of potential. Then there are other guys like Diallo, Korkmaz, Newman, Ellenson, Poeltl, and Stone.

Skal Labisierre

Spoiler:

Brandon Ingram

Spoiler:

Ben Simmons

Spoiler:

Dragan Bender

Spoiler:

Zhou Qi

Spoiler:

Thon Maker

Spoiler:

There are a couple more that I left off(Brown, Murray...) just so this didn't get too long.

AQuintus · Post #2 » by **AQuintus** » Fri Aug 7, 2015 11:30 pm

Dragan Bender is probably the guy for us to watch. I expect the Wolves to be drafting somewhere 5-15, so Skal Labisierre, Ben Simmons, and Brandon Ingram are probably out of the picture. Thon Maker looks like he's years away from being able to contribute even at the college level from what I've seen. I'd be surprised if he's even in the 2016 draft. Same with Zhou Qi. Beyond that, we're two deep with quality young talent at every position except PF (zero deep) and SG (one deep), so I would expect the team to either target a PF (like Bender) or a 3-point specialist SG.

Post #3 » by **Klomp** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 12:01 am

It'll be interesting to see if we expect Towns to play PF or C longterm, because that could alter who we target.

NikolaPekovic · Post #4 » by **NikolaPekovic** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 12:18 am

If we get the number 1 pick I'm taking Ben Simmons.

Post #5 » by **Worm Guts** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 12:34 am

Klomp wrote:It'll be interesting to see if we expect Towns to play PF or C longterm, because that could alter who we target.

Ideally Towns versatility would allow us to draft the better player between the 2 positions

Merc_Porto · Post #6 » by **Merc_Porto** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 1:05 am

AQuintus wrote:I expect the Wolves to be drafting somewhere 5-15

More like, 5-12

zDank · Post #7 » by **zDank** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 2:07 am

NikolaPekovic wrote:If we get the number 1 pick I'm taking Ben Simmons.

In a heartbeat

jpatrick · Post #8 » by **jpatrick** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 3:07 am

I was under the impression Thon Maker reclassified his HS graduation year and now will be part of the 2017 draft class at the earliest and will also be pretty old for his class.

So much can change from now until draft day, but it seems like for now, Skal, Simmons, Brown, and Ingram are the consensus top four. I think we'll end up in that 8-12 range if our vets remain relatively healthy, so probably out of our range if they remain that high. I actually like Skal a bit more than Simmons, but could be swayed either way. I'm just not sure what position Simmons plays, his standing reach is really short for a PF, and he looks like he needs the ball in his hands to create for other to be at his best. At some point you need guys who are better playing off the ball.

Mattya · Post #9 » by **Mattya** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 3:13 am

Thon Maker looks like he's years away from being able to contribute even at the college level from what I've seen. I'd be surprised if he's even in the 2016 draft. Same with Zhou Qi.

I agree that Maker might not come out, but I would be surprised if Qi doesn't come out. I think once teams start doing measurements pre draft next year his stock will make him a top 10 pick for sure.

Worm Guts wrote:
Klomp wrote:It'll be interesting to see if we expect Towns to play PF or C longterm, because that could alter who we target.

Ideally Towns versatility would allow us to draft the better player between the 2 positions

Agreed, if we draft a big he is only part 2 to a 3 part puzzle since Towns should be getting minutes at both positions.

zDank wrote:
NikolaPekovic wrote:If we get the number 1 pick I'm taking Ben Simmons.

In a heartbeat

I think by the end of the year and especially after workouts Ingram will be the guy with the most steam. He is over a year younger than Simmons and Skal, and almost a full year younger than Brown. Looking at his body type Ingram looks like one of those guys that is going to keep growing. He also has a better wingspan and standing reach than Simmons and Skal. He needs to add a lot of weight, but I could see him being a good tweener. We need to see how well he can play defense, but he has the tools to be a very versatile defender.

Grits n Gravy · Post #10 » by **Grits n Gravy** » Sat Aug 8, 2015 7:53 am

Obviously only one game but I was unimpressed with Simmons at the hoop summit. I don't see all the hype for a top 3 pick.

Post #11 » by **Domejandro** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:03 am

Domantas Sabonis is our guy. His rebounding ability is some of the best I have ever seen, and he is a terrific passer. He also has an elite post game, and has a truly phenomenal touch around the basket.

Post #12 » by **C.lupus** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:32 am

Domejandro wrote:
Domantas Sabonis is our guy. His rebounding ability is some of the best I have ever seen, and he is a terrific passer. He also has an elite post game, and has a truly phenomenal touch around the basket.

If he's half as good as his father, he'd be a great pick.

NikolaPekovic · Post #13 » by **NikolaPekovic** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 5:15 am

Ben Simmons might be the closest thing since Lebron with his skill-set.

We could go two routes if we got him.

Rubio
Lavine
Wiggins
Simmons
KAT

OR

Lavine
Wiggins
Simmons
???/KAT
KAT/???

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vf5yYk0YRE[/youtube]

Post #14 » by **Klomp** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 6:47 am

Domejandro wrote:Domantas Sabonis is our guy. His rebounding ability is some of the best I have ever seen, and he is a terrific passer. He also has an elite post game, and has a truly phenomenal touch around the basket.

I definitely think he'll be a strong lotto candidate.

rugbyrugger23 · Post #15 » by **rugbyrugger23** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:09 am

Who do you think is the best big-man (4 or 5), meaning well fitting, next to Towns out of '14 or '15 or '16 draft? That ideal big is who Flip should target and move any/all assets listed for that player:

='16 top 12 draft pick
= Martin (value could be vet, expiring contract, or what asset he is traded for at '15 TD)
= Dieng
= Payne or Bennett (assuming one steps up this season)
= Jones
= Bazz (harder to move but I would to solidify long term rotation/starters)

One scenario I like is Okafor to Wolves. Not sure how perfect him and Towns fit, but we know Flip really liked him this past draft. Plus that fact Embiid could start to make comeback, Saric will eventually arrive from Europe, and 76ers might be "forced" to select another 4 or 5 at top of '16 draft board...which would mean a current 76er big could/should be on the block.

No-Man · Post #16 » by **No-Man** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 5:33 pm

Sabonis is not a lotto caliber prospect, he is basically a terrific rebounder with advanced feel for the game, but his shooting, touch and moves are average and the has just not so much upside due to his limited athleticism, he has some traits of Varejao, Splitter, but he is not big enough to play the PF.

I think the Wolves will likely have a pick in the 5-10 range, and honestly I'd likely go with a perimeter player, I believe in Bjelica as a possible starter/high caliber role player next to Towns and you have invested stuff in Payne, plus Garnett and Dieng are there, and Shabazz from the bench is still better as a smallball PF kind of.
A running mate for Wiggins in the wings should be the way to go, LaVine might not put it together.
I will go with BPA in reality, but getting a guy like Korkmaz in that range should be an option, if Ingram or Brown are there of course you should look at them since Andrew can play indistinguibly SG and SF (Jaylen might be a more difficult fit since Shabazz is a somewhat similar wing as of now).
Qi or Maker should not even be in the conversation, first of all Qi is rail thin and has limited atleticism, the guy doesnt look the part to be a top pick candidate, and Maker wont be eligible next year and even if he were, he is pretty average.
In that range I'd much rather go with Ivan Rabb if you are looking at a PF to play next to KAT.
If you are lucky or bad enough to have a shot at Simmons, Bender and Labissiere, is a bit tricky, none of them fit perfectly with what you have, but again you are too early in the rebuilding process to be going by fit sooo....

Mattya · Post #17 » by **Mattya** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:36 pm

-So Ben Simmons had some great #s at LSU's combine, if they are accurate.
-Skal still hasn't been cleared to play for Kentucky yet, maybe another Kanter situation.
-Bender really impressed people a few weeks ago when Maccabi played some games here.

Spoiler:

-Ingram is #3 on DX ahead of Brown
-I know it is nbadraft.net but Damion Jones was #5 on their board, I think #16 on DX. Just another potential guy to keep an eye on though.

Spoiler:

-Ray Smith has apparently been impressing at AZ as well.

Note30 · Post #18 » by **Note30** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:46 pm

Yeah we aren't going to have a draft pick this year so this whole thread is moot.

Post #19 » by **Klomp** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:46 pm

Thank you for bumping this back up. I think early preseason returns have dashed whatever postseason aspirations people here had.

This seems to be a really deep draft at the top. We should end up with a quality player no matter where we end up.

Personally, Simmons is my current No. 1 over Labissiere. I also like Bender, Murray, Poeltl and Diallo as lottery options. Sabonis could get there, as well, but that remains to be seen.

Post #20 » by **Klomp** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:47 pm

Note30 wrote:Yeah we aren't going to have a draft pick this year so this whole thread is moot.

You still think we are making the playoffs?