2022 NBA Draft Talk: Never too soon

[minimus]

We need to find Herbert Jones, Deni Avdija type of wing who can defend 1-4 and hit open threes.

A lot of people talk about finding a "traditional 4" but I agree that this is the way to go. I want to load up on guys in the Vanderbilt/McDaniels/Prince mold.

I think those versatile wing defenders/shooters are infinitely valuable. I do think we need at least one bigger/traditional PF, however, because of Towns lack of rim protection and because we struggle so much to defensive rebound.

Yeah, I think any team could use MCD. Two defensive wings of this type is such a tough matchup for every opponent.

I do agree that we could use a physical, tough PF, it is just different path to develop our team. I also think that shot blocking is kind of overrated nowadays. I think it is more important to defend in space, execute rotations, angle opponents etc..

[MagDag]

A lot of people talk about finding a "traditional 4" but I agree that this is the way to go. I want to load up on guys in the Vanderbilt/McDaniels/Prince mold.

I think those versatile wing defenders/shooters are infinitely valuable. I do think we need at least one bigger/traditional PF, however, because of Towns lack of rim protection and because we struggle so much to defensive rebound.

Yeah, I think any team could use MCD. Two defensive wings of this type is such a tough matchup for every opponent.

I do agree that we could use a physical, tough PF, it is just different path to develop our team. I also think that shot blocking is kind of overrated nowadays. I think it is more important to defend in space, execute rotations, angle opponents etc..

Zach Edey, this guy is incredible, what do we need if we don't pick center in the first round. 7.4 290 19 years old

[Dewey]

A lot of people talk about finding a "traditional 4" but I agree that this is the way to go. I want to load up on guys in the Vanderbilt/McDaniels/Prince mold.

I think those versatile wing defenders/shooters are infinitely valuable. I do think we need at least one bigger/traditional PF, however, because of Towns lack of rim protection and because we struggle so much to defensive rebound.

Yeah, I think any team could use MCD. Two defensive wings of this type is such a tough matchup for every opponent.

I do agree that we could use a physical, tough PF, it is just different path to develop our team. I also think that shot blocking is kind of overrated nowadays. I think it is more important to defend in space, execute rotations, angle opponents etc..

Yes I would agree the Traditional PF type has been mentioned due the fact we need size… maybe more capable of guarding the 3,4,5. I also agree BBIQ => traditional shot blocking enigma. Finch has these guys rotating better this year and it takes a certain level of player intelligence to get it done.

[Mamba4Goat]

These guys may be a little out of range for each pick so Minnesota may need to move around but Tari Eason and one of Hugo Besson or Walker Kessler would be pretty nice.

[shangrila]

I think those versatile wing defenders/shooters are infinitely valuable. I do think we need at least one bigger/traditional PF, however, because of Towns lack of rim protection and because we struggle so much to defensive rebound.

Yeah, I think any team could use MCD. Two defensive wings of this type is such a tough matchup for every opponent.

I do agree that we could use a physical, tough PF, it is just different path to develop our team. I also think that shot blocking is kind of overrated nowadays. I think it is more important to defend in space, execute rotations, angle opponents etc..

Yes I would agree the Traditional PF type has been mentioned due the fact we need size… maybe more capable of guarding the 3,4,5. I also agree BBIQ => traditional shot blocking enigma. Finch has these guys rotating better this year and it takes a certain level of player intelligence to get it done.

Agreed.

I'd actually argue getting guys that can play good team defence is more important than good 1v1 defenders.

This is why I'm a little more concerned about taking younger athletes. The kind of guys that can move their feet well in isolation but get lost off ball. That's a death sentence for us.

So ideally we look at guys like Eason (doubt he's available sadly) or Liddell.

[Klomp]

Yeah, I think any team could use MCD. Two defensive wings of this type is such a tough matchup for every opponent.

I do agree that we could use a physical, tough PF, it is just different path to develop our team. I also think that shot blocking is kind of overrated nowadays. I think it is more important to defend in space, execute rotations, angle opponents etc..

Yes I would agree the Traditional PF type has been mentioned due the fact we need size… maybe more capable of guarding the 3,4,5. I also agree BBIQ => traditional shot blocking enigma. Finch has these guys rotating better this year and it takes a certain level of player intelligence to get it done.

Agreed.

I'd actually argue getting guys that can play good team defence is more important than good 1v1 defenders.

This is why I'm a little more concerned about taking younger athletes. The kind of guys that can move their feet well in isolation but get lost off ball. That's a death sentence for us.

So ideally we look at guys like Eason (doubt he's available sadly) or Liddell.

Wasn't that basically the defensive knock on Ant?

[shangrila]

Yes I would agree the Traditional PF type has been mentioned due the fact we need size… maybe more capable of guarding the 3,4,5. I also agree BBIQ => traditional shot blocking enigma. Finch has these guys rotating better this year and it takes a certain level of player intelligence to get it done.

Agreed.

I'd actually argue getting guys that can play good team defence is more important than good 1v1 defenders.

This is why I'm a little more concerned about taking younger athletes. The kind of guys that can move their feet well in isolation but get lost off ball. That's a death sentence for us.

So ideally we look at guys like Eason (doubt he's available sadly) or Liddell.

Wasn't that basically the defensive knock on Ant?

True. But I think we can all agree Ant is an exception rather than a rule.

He had a lot of the same complaints about him offensively (basically low IQ) that he's dispelled since being in the league, but that weren't unfair at the time either.

I just look at a guy like Kendall Brown and get a bit antsy of trying to find him minutes. Conversely, there's potential for us to snag guys that might be far more valuable to us than others. Vince Williams from VCU comes to mind.

[Movics]

I think those versatile wing defenders/shooters are infinitely valuable. I do think we need at least one bigger/traditional PF, however, because of Towns lack of rim protection and because we struggle so much to defensive rebound.

Yeah, I think any team could use MCD. Two defensive wings of this type is such a tough matchup for every opponent.

I do agree that we could use a physical, tough PF, it is just different path to develop our team. I also think that shot blocking is kind of overrated nowadays. I think it is more important to defend in space, execute rotations, angle opponents etc..

Zach Edey, this guy is incredible, what do we need if we don't pick center in the first round. 7.4 290 19 years old

Didn’t he have the most efficient scoring season in NCAA history by a large margin? I know at one point he was on pace to shatter it.

[Mattya]

Agreed.

I'd actually argue getting guys that can play good team defence is more important than good 1v1 defenders.

This is why I'm a little more concerned about taking younger athletes. The kind of guys that can move their feet well in isolation but get lost off ball. That's a death sentence for us.

So ideally we look at guys like Eason (doubt he's available sadly) or Liddell.

Wasn't that basically the defensive knock on Ant?

True. But I think we can all agree Ant is an exception rather than a rule.

He had a lot of the same complaints about him offensively (basically low IQ) that he's dispelled since being in the league, but that weren't unfair at the time either.

I just look at a guy like Kendall Brown and get a bit antsy of trying to find him minutes. Conversely, there's potential for us to snag guys that might be far more valuable to us than others. Vince Williams from VCU comes to mind.

Yea Ant very clearly had talent that stood out, I can’t say the same for Brown.

[Mattya]

Yeah, I think any team could use MCD. Two defensive wings of this type is such a tough matchup for every opponent.

I do agree that we could use a physical, tough PF, it is just different path to develop our team. I also think that shot blocking is kind of overrated nowadays. I think it is more important to defend in space, execute rotations, angle opponents etc..

Zach Edey, this guy is incredible, what do we need if we don't pick center in the first round. 7.4 290 19 years old

Didn’t he have the most efficient scoring season in NCAA history by a large margin? I know at one point he was on pace to shatter it.

While he isn’t the PF people are looking for, I think Edey in the second round is great value compared to taking some of these other guys who look like back up centers in the first round, at least in my eyes. I like Kessler. I think he could become a starter if he pans out on the high end, but if the Wolves view it the same as I do then I’d take the Edey gamble in the second round.

I don’t see the big PF in this draft that we are looking for.

[jpatrick]

I’m looking into Dyson Daniels. Aussie that played in the g league. Big, defensive combo guard. If you squint a bit, you can envision a Jrue Holiday or Lonzo Ball type of PG. He’s not shifty enough to be your primary ball handler, but can be a very good secondary guy. An off the ball type of PG. I think that’s what you want next to Ant.

Shot improves through g league year as he got used to playing against pros. Great BBIQ. Worry is shot doesn’t come around fully and he becomes Culver (too soon to reference him?).

I also like Tari Eason as a ultra athletic defensive PF that may be able to develop a shot down the road.

Problem is both these guys probably gone by 18/19.

[Neeva]

Wolves picking 19, damn they really had bad luck with balls and coin tosses.

[KGdaBom]

Wolves picking 19, damn they really had bad luck with balls and coin tosses.

We got the first pick for Ant.

[Klomp]

I’m looking into Dyson Daniels. Aussie that played in the g league. Big, defensive combo guard. If you squint a bit, you can envision a Jrue Holiday or Lonzo Ball type of PG. He’s not shifty enough to be your primary ball handler, but can be a very good secondary guy. An off the ball type of PG. I think that’s what you want next to Ant.

Shot improves through g league year as he got used to playing against pros. Great BBIQ. Worry is shot doesn’t come around fully and he becomes Culver (too soon to reference him?).

You're on the right path about this...I think while a lot of people are looking in the post at bigs, I just have a feeling the better route will be in the backcourt and in long, versatile SF/PFs.

Something I think we value is guys who can play both on-ball and off-ball. Last year we saw a lot of 2-PG lineups with DLo and JMac, which has continued this year with DLo and PatBev. The value of those pairings is all three players are threats with the ball without being liabilities when they don't have the ball. The previous talk was that Finch doesn't use true PGs, but I think it's more that everyone shares responsibilities with the ball. Everyone needs to be a threat.

Daniels I haven't really looked into yet, but a couple other guys in the range who could also be possibles are Malaki Branham, Wendell Moore, and Blake Wesley. If looking for more length in the McDaniels/Vando mold, I like Baldwin, Jovic and Sochan.

[Klomp]

A few second round names I really like: David Roddy, Trevion Williams, Josh Minott, Julian Champagnie

[moss_is_1]

Mark Williams please. Naz is unreliable. Vando can be moved to sf/pf role and be thrown on bigger wings when needed. His lack of offense really hurts.

[Klomp]

Mark Williams please. Naz is unreliable. Vando can be moved to sf/pf role and be thrown on bigger wings when needed. His lack of offense really hurts.

I agree that we are seeing Vanderbilt can be played out of a postseason series. However, we also should learn from the other bench in this series, where the big plodder over there was also played out of the series. I'm not convinced Williams is the answer.

[moss_is_1]

Mark Williams please. Naz is unreliable. Vando can be moved to sf/pf role and be thrown on bigger wings when needed. His lack of offense really hurts.

I agree that we are seeing Vanderbilt can be played out of a postseason series. However, we also should learn from the other bench in this series, where the big plodder over there was also played out of the series. I'm not convinced Williams is the answer.

I think Williams moves his feet and can switch on the perimeter pretty well.

[minimus]

Mark Williams please. Naz is unreliable. Vando can be moved to sf/pf role and be thrown on bigger wings when needed. His lack of offense really hurts.

I agree that we are seeing Vanderbilt can be played out of a postseason series. However, we also should learn from the other bench in this series, where the big plodder over there was also played out of the series. I'm not convinced Williams is the answer.

I think Williams moves his feet and can switch on the perimeter pretty well.

From what I read, his perimeter defense is not his strength. But I think it is more about defensive scheme and team chemistry

[minimus]

I would be happy to add Robert Williams type of defensive minded big. Basically he is a bigger version of Vando. When I watch Vando play against MEM I do believe that he could use a few inches to finish better and catch passes better.

Robert Williams is 6'9" with 7'6" wingspan, 240lbs. Vando is 6'8" with 7'1", 215 lbs.