RealGM

My mock picks for the Wolves are Bismack Biyombo at #2 and Marshon Brooks at #20. Bismack would be a huge upgrade to our second weakest position, C. Marshon, a pretty polished senior could be a potential go to scorer int he NBA. I think this draft would add 5+ wins to our 2012 squad.

Bismack profile
http://www.macofthemiac.com/2011/05/25/ ... t-profile/

Marshon profile
http://www.macofthemiac.com/2011/05/24/ ... t-profile/

I like Biyombo but I really doubt we would take him #2, we could easily trade down a few spots gain some assets and still get him though.

Brooks is who I want at #20 as well but I don't think he lasts that long.

I like Biyombo but I am not entirely convinced he can play C at the NBA level anymore.

Prefer Kanter/Brooks. Kanter will be able to score right away. Hopefully he can develop into the defensive presence we need, but I think the defense will be more improved by a better system than any individual players. If we were to move around for a trade I would rather move up from the 20 for Klay Thompson or trade the pick away with a piece (Pek?) for an established SG. But there's no need to do either, Brooks would be fine, as would E'Twaun Moore.

I doubt we add 2 rookies and no veterans on draft night.

Kumar wrote:I like Biyombo but I am not entirely convinced he can play C at the NBA level anymore.

What evidence had led you to this skepticism?

People probably assume by looking at his height he can't play there. He's long enough, can play defense, powerful, athletic, and has solid footwork. Guy is a superfreak, I don't understand the hesitation on picking him. I think he's going to make us much much better and will compliment Love PERFECTLY.

If Kahn really is targeting Biyombo and Brooks, trying to trade down to get Utah's #3 (Biyombo) and #12 (Brooks) would probably be a good way to guarantee it. I think I could live with that.

No evidence.

Height isn't an issue - his long arms, vertical, and overall athleticism should allow him to play bigger. Don't think he can 'bang' with the real centers of the NBA effectively, tis all. Sure he could play it, probably, but not sure for an entire season or the majority of a game.

Kumar wrote:No evidence.

Height isn't an issue - his long arms, vertical, and overall athleticism should allow him to play bigger. Don't think he can 'bang' with the real centers of the NBA effectively, tis all. Sure he could play it, probably, but not sure for an entire season or the majority of a game.

He's (supposedly) only 18 and he's got a big frame; he's going to fill out and get bigger with time.

If the Wolves somehow draft him that's what I will keep telling myself.

He'd be a great addition and change the attitude of the team (in a good way) regardless.

I think Brooks will be gone at #12, as well. A Utah trade might be ideal.

I don't want one player in this draft (With the clear exception of Irving). Trade the #2 pick for a solid, defensive center. I just think Biyombo is a huge bust waiting to happen. People who just suddenly "show up" in the lottery are bound to be busts. He only had ONE good game where he had pretty decent numbers, as far as I know. People on this board are overrating him severly.

Biyombo play'd 14 games in ACB 6+6+2 in 18 minutes @ 18 years old!
I wouldnt pick him with the 2nd pick, but imo he is going to be a very good player!

I'm going to be a little disapointed if we pick anyone except Williams at #2. If we want Kanter or Biyombo we should be trading down.

Worm Guts wrote:I'm going to be a little disapointed if we pick anyone except Williams at #2. If we want Kanter or Biyombo we should be trading down.

Agree. Love Brooks at 20 though.

I just don't like the idea of pairing Bismack Biyombo with Kevin Love. To begin with you're only going to be able to build a decent defensive team no matter who you're putting next to Love short of all NBA caliber defenders at both C & SF.

In other words if Love is the guy they are currently building around (seing that they have no other guys who you could consider building around) i'm of the strong belief that any team with Love at PF has to be looking to build an elite offensive team that can score 105-110 a night and then you try and build a defense that can hold teams to 100.

Would Biyombo potentially be a guy that gets them to hold teams to 100? Sure, but Biyombo also would limit the offensive ceiling of the team in my opinion. I think Kanter makes the Wolves a much better offensive team and with better offense they'll be better on defense just as a by product of fewer turnovers and more baskets made leading to less fastbreaks against them. Not to mention that having two perimeter bigs who can shoot threes allows them to run 3 quarters of the court to get back on defense.

That said, perhaps the biggest factor is that Biyombo is a good three or more years from being able to play 30+ minutes a night in my opinion without fouling out of damn near every game or killing his own team on offense because of how raw he is. In other words even if he can play with Love, the chances that Love will have pushed his way out of town before Biyombo is ready to help him fully are very strong in my opinion.

I'm not against getting Biyombo, I just think if they do they should be trading back into the lottery to grab him not spending the #2 pick on him and not trading out of Kanter or Irving with that pick. I still think its quite possible that the Cavs will end up thinking Williams + Knight is better then Irving + Jonas.

If Rubio is not coming this year at what point do we consider Brandon Knight at #2?

We don't, we'd have to trade back to consider Knight.