Draft Day 2017 (6:30 p.m., ESPN) ***No Spoilers***

[Baseline81]

In Ford's latest mock:

9. Dallas Mavericks

Dennis Smith

Other potential draftees: Jonathan Isaac, Frank Ntilikina, Lauri Markkanen, Zach Collins

The Mavs covet Isaac and have been trying to move up a couple of spots to grab him. So far, they've been unable to work out a deal.

The Mavs were strongly leaning toward Ntilikina, to the point that they invited his head coach at Strasbourg, Vincent Collet, to come coach the Mavs' Orlando Summer League team. However, they walked away from a workout with Smith last week totally smitten by Smith's athleticism and scoring abilities.

If both are on the board, this becomes a really tough decision between getting the best player now and potentially the best player in three years. Dallas hasn't had to be patient for a while. Can it?

There's also talk of the Mavs swapping picks with the Wolves, but right now the cost is too high for Dallas.

Needless to say, Minny wasn't buying the Rubio/no. 7 for Matthews/no. 9 talk.

[TheProdigy]

In Ford's latest mock:

9. Dallas Mavericks

Dennis Smith

Other potential draftees: Jonathan Isaac, Frank Ntilikina, Lauri Markkanen, Zach Collins

The Mavs covet Isaac and have been trying to move up a couple of spots to grab him. So far, they've been unable to work out a deal.

The Mavs were strongly leaning toward Ntilikina, to the point that they invited his head coach at Strasbourg, Vincent Collet, to come coach the Mavs' Orlando Summer League team. However, they walked away from a workout with Smith last week totally smitten by Smith's athleticism and scoring abilities.

If both are on the board, this becomes a really tough decision between getting the best player now and potentially the best player in three years. Dallas hasn't had to be patient for a while. Can it?

There's also talk of the Mavs swapping picks with the Wolves, but right now the cost is too high for Dallas.

Needless to say, Minny wasn't buying the Rubio/no. 7 for Matthews/no. 9 talk.

This is a fantastic example of why Chad Ford will be unemployed soon. Dallas turned down #7 and Rubio for #9 and Matthews, riiiiiight....

[Worm Guts]

Quick question, if Thibs does draft Collins, does this push Towns to mainly PF? I sense Collins is more of a C.

I don't know, he's listed as a PF/C, probably in the same sense that Dieng and Towns are PF/C. Who plays what probably depends on the matchup.

[Baseline81]

I don't know, he's listed as a PF/C, probably in the same sense that Dieng and Towns are PF/C. Who plays what probably depends on the matchup.

My concern is, as Collins matures and gains strength, he'll likely become strictly a C. And that is where Towns should be playing.

[pumunga]

At this point, the only way I think I'll be upset is if we pass on Isaac or Tatum at 7. Everything else I can probably be OK with.

I'll lose faith in Thibs should he draft either Collins or Markkanen at no. 7. Both players could be had in trade with either Dallas or Sacto.

this makes no sense at all. your saying it's okay to take a player at 9 or 10 but not at 7? if you think he's the best player, you think he's the best player regardless of where you are drafting.

[TwolvesFanRome]

Any rumors from twitter?

[Baseline81]

this makes no sense at all. your saying it's okay to take a player at 9 or 10 but not at 7? if you think he's the best player, you think he's the best player regardless of where you are drafting.

This is where you and I disagree. I do not think he's one of the top-7 talents in this draft. However, if you're looking for fit, and Isaac's no longer available, I could see a reason for not drafting DSJ, for instance, as long as the Wolves pick up another asset.

From small 3 point sample sizes, to conference strength, to Collins not doing any single thing really well, I think it would be a bad pick considering other available options.

[Cim2217]

Thibs will find a way to get JImmy Butler by nights end.

[TheDominator273]

I'm warming up to taking DSJ even if it means the end to Rubio who is one of my favorite Wolves of all time.

[Slim Tubby]

Just a hunch but I have a feeling that by tomorrow morning, three (3) of these four (4) assets will no longer be with the Wolves:

Zach LaVine
Ricky Rubio
Kris Dunn
Pick #7

[Slim Tubby]

I'm warming up to taking DSJ even if it means the end to Rubio who is one of my favorite Wolves of all time.

Ultimately, DSJ is who I want us to end up with, even over Isaac if he were there (that would never happen). DSJ reminds me a lot of Baron Davis, he's already physically mature and he has a chip on his shoulder. To be honest, I'm completely baffled as to which direction Thibs is actually looking if we hang on to the pick which should make tonight an absolute blast. I took off work tomorrow and my close, personal friend Don Julio is coming over to watch the draft with me.

[Baseline81]

SI.com's final mock has the Wolves taking DSJ:

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dennis Smith, NC State

If the Wolves can't land Isaac, they should take Smith. Either they can keep him—as a supercharged version of the lottery pick they wanted Kris Dunn to be—or they can auction his services to the highest bidder. Smith spent most of his high school career as the top point guard prospect in this class. Then a knee injury derailed his senior season, while "going to NC State" derailed his lone year at NC State. Still, he's an incredible athlete and a great scorer, and he's got a chance to be as explosive as Damian Lillard, Isaiah Thomas, Kemba Walker, and every other point guard we've seen anchor offenses over the past few years. Put him in the spread pick-and-roll and he could be a nightmare. Whether it's Minnesota or someone else making this pick, Smith shouldn't slip any lower.

[Mauro Pedrosa]

Hi Wolves fans! I have a new project on YouTube and I have my Mock Draft in there with some analysis. Would love it if you checked it out

Watch on YouTube

[Grits n Gravy]

Does anyone know where I might find some ESPN 3 pie to watch this thing? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[TheDominator273]

God these rubes calling in to PA are awful

[Klomp]

OK, got in about 5 hours of sleep. Hopefully it's enough to get me through the rest of the day. Looks like I didn't miss a thing?

[mplsfonz23]

I've never been so excited for this draft than any other draft. Can't wait!

2015 draft was the best one IMO. Towns? Oak? DLo? Having the #1 pick was like a kid at a toy store.

Having the #1 pick is great for the team, but kind of boring. You know who your going to pick before the draft usually, and the best part is over 5 minutes in.

I was excited knowing we had our choice of ALL the players, and the smokescreen was out there, so knowing the Wolves, they could have screwed everything up and taken J Oak or the now traded DLo.
I know it's over quick, but I can't stand watching every player I want go off the board, and we are stuck with mediocre players.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Foye]

this is the first time in years I'm actually at home on draft night and for the first time I can watch it. but given the time difference: how long does the first round of a draft usually take?

Way too long. 5 minutes per pick.

[Foye]

I want Ntilikina!!!!!!!!!


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