On each player profile, Jonah Ballow included a section discussing how each prospect would fit with the current team. I decided to put them all together into one thread, in alphabetical order.
Bismack Biyombo
Draft experts and Minnesota fans are beginning to jump on the Biyombo bandwagon as they see the potential fit with the Wolves. He would immediately add another strong rebounding presence next to double-double machine Kevin Love while protecting the rim on a team that surrendered a league-high 107.7 points per game. If Minnesota selects Biyombo, the hope is that he provides the same type of impact as the Thunder's Serge Ibaka -- blocking shots, rebounding, and accepting a "dirty work" role for the defensive deficient Wolves. Depending on the pre-draft workouts, Biyombo will be an early to mid lottery pick, forcing the Minnesota front office to either trade to snag him or use its top selection to immediately bolster the frontcourt.
Alec Burks
Head coach Kurt Rambis played rookie Wes Johnson at the shooting guard spot for a majority of the 2010-11 season. However, his length and size could lead to a position change if the Wolves decide to select Burks in this year's draft. Minnesota's offense needs an off the dribble playmaker to take pressure away from Michael Beasley as the only true isolation option. The problem is that Burks is not a top four prospect and will most likely be off the board when the Wolves make their selection at No. 20.
Jimmer Fredette
Minnesota's offense greatly improved this season, jumping to 101.1 points per game from 98.2, its 3-point shooting percentage increased from 34.1 to 37.6, and field goal percentage remained about the same. The team may look to add a franchise point guard but the jury is still out on Fredette and whether he can be a starting floor leader in the NBA. Additionally, the Wolves will learn more about the potential arrival of Ricky Rubio prior to the June 23 Draft. Some fans are comparing Fredette to Stephen Curry, who received the same type of criticisms in 2009. Curry was drafted seventh overall and is arguably the steal of the draft, effectively playing both the point and shooting guard positions. As a late lottery pick, Fredette may not suit up in a Wolves uniform but his draft status is one of the intriguing storylines to follow this summer.
Kyrie Irving
From the youthful to the experienced point guards, the position is the elite spot on the floor and each team is searching for franchise player to run its team. The list is absolutely remarkable; consider Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, and Tony Parker are all providing major contributions to their respective clubs. The Wolves hope to upgrade at the position whether Ricky Rubio takes the reins or Irving will be the designated point guard of the future. Irving would be a perfect fit with a skill set similar to Paul and a mature demeanor that would help an extremely young Minnesota squad take the next leap. He will take the keys to the car, driving either at an up-tempo pace or setting up the half court offense. In a draft that lacks superstar names, Irving is one of the few players that a franchise can build around. With Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, and Wes Johnson already in place, Irving seems to be one of the missing pieces and will im mediately inject excitement into the Twin Cities.
Enes Kanter
The traditional center seems to be close to an extinct species aside from Andrew Bynum, Marc Gasol, and Dwight Howard. However, there is a premium placed on centers and you simply can't coach size. Kanter is an intriguing prospect with a variety of tools that makes him one of the standout draft prospects in 2011. Darko Milicic registered career numbers this past season, averaging 8.8 points, 5.2 boards, and two blocks per game. Rookie Nikola Pekovic only posted 5.5 points in his first-year campaign, leaving the Wolves searching for more offensive output from the position. Kanter offers the possibility of a dynamic offensive threat on the blocks to alleviate some of the pressure on Kevin Love and Michael Beasley to produce for the frontline.
Brandon Knight
The success rate of Calipari point guards in the NBA is hard to ignore. Minnesota's front office staff will evaluate Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and Knight to find out who shines the brightest during pre-draft workouts prior to June 23. The Wolves are searching for a dynamic player at the position and Knight is an intriguing athlete that could boost their backcourt immediately. If Minnesota uses its top pick in the first round on Knight and pairs him with Wes Johnson, the team would feature an extremely tall and athletic tandem heading into the 2011-12 season.
Kawhi Leonard
The Wolves are stacked at the small forward position with Michael Beasley, Wes Johnson, and Martell Webster. While Johnson and Webster can slide to the shooting guard spot, Minnesota does not have a place for Leonard on the current roster. From a defensive standpoint, the Wolves are in desperate need of a wing defenders and rebounders to help Kevin Love. Leonard is a winner, non-stop worker, and solid citizen Minnesota will most likely not be in a position to draft him on June 23.
Donatas Montiejunas
The Wolves frontline features a young, athletic, and versatile big man who could develop into a starter or productive sixth man off the pine. Anthony Randolph showed a ton of upside and the selection of Montiejunas may hinder Randolph's growth during the 2011-12 season. The inside/out potential of Montiejunas is intriguing but the absence of true defensive attributes does not make him a fit, especially if the Wolves have to use a top pick on the 20-year old. If Montiejunas drops to No. 20 or a trade can be worked out, he is worthy of a future investment by allowing him significant time to improve.
Marcus Morris
Again, power forward is not a position for need with Kevin Love fresh off an All-Star season and with Anthony Randolph and Anthony Tolliver on the roster. Don't forget about Michael Beasley's two-position possibilities as well, which leads to a logjam if Minnesota selected Morris. The versatility Morris offers is a fit with the construction and mindset of the Wolves but they expect the prolific big man to be off the board when selecting the No. 20 overall pick. However, Markieef could be available with similar attributes as his twin brother.
Tristan Thompson
The Wolves will most likely not be in a position to draft Thompson as he is projected late Lottery pick. With that said, his defensive abilities are intriguing for a team that allowed 107.7 points per game and were deficient defending the paint. Anthony Tolliver seems to be a similar type of player with offensive capabilities, a 3-point shot, and NBA experience at only 25 years old. Minnesota may look to increase Tolliver's role off the bench as opposed to taking a risk on another young rookie.
Jonas Valanciunas
Valanciunas' upside is great but the reality is that he needs time to build core strength and adjust to the NBA style of game. Chad Ford of ESPN.com describes some road blocks in front of Valanciunas if he attempts to remain in the NBA Draft, stating, "Concerns about a massive buyout could keep him in Europe for a couple more years. Is anyone willing to take the risk high in the lottery?" Mock Drafts project him anywhere between No. 3 to No. 8 depending on his status nearing the deadline to withdraw from the June 23 Draft.
Jan Vesely
Kevin Love's dominant season provides the Wolves with a legit franchise player to build around. At the power forward spot, Minnesota has the option of brining Anthony Tolliver and Anthony Randolph off the pine to run with the second unit. Vesely is somewhat of a risky pick in the top three but he certainly presents a high degree of excitement for any of the lottery teams. His skill set is vastly different from Tolliver or Randolph, which could give the Wolves an extremely versatile second unit. Vesely is a fit with the franchise philosophy of acquiring talented, young, and athletic players that can run the floor at any position.
Kemba Walker
In halfcourt scenarios with the shot clock winding down, the Wolves struggled to find offensive weapons to breakdown defenders off the dribble. Aside from Michael Beasley, Minnesota does not feature several isolation types of players, which opens the door for a possible Walker pick. He is not a true point guard but Walker is phenomenal at creating shots and making plays in sticky situations. There is also a "wow" factor to Walker's game, he could generate a ton of excitement in the Twin Cities area and galvanize a fan base like he successfully accomplished at Connecticut. His attributes also fall in line with the franchise philosophy of adding athletic scorers at every position. Placing Walker next to Wes Johnson, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, and Darko Milicic is an intriguing starting five to ponder.
Derrick Williams
The analysts compare Williams' skill set to Wolves small forward Michael Beasley. This creates an issue for Minnesota if the team believes he is the best available player at its draft spot. There are several ways to look at the Williams conundrum if he sports a Wolves uniform in 2012-13. The front office can take the stance that Williams' talent is undeniable and he will push Beasley to improve his game this summer. Additionally, owning a player of his skill set will only enhance a team with 17 victories along with creating a more potent second unit. Some fans may scoff at the notion of selecting a player that high in the draft only to bring off the bench. The Sixers effectively used Evan Turner for a majority of the season from a sixth man position after using the No. 2 overall pick on him in last year's Draft.