The March to June 23: The Draft Prospect Thread

[Klomp]

I’d imagine Emoni Bates is someone who Minnesota takes a good look at. Fits their brand a lot in terms of fantastic high school player that struggled in college but still has a fair bit of upside. There’s a good chances he’s around where the Knicks pick ends up.

I've been circling back to him a bit. He definitely has his flaws, but you're not going to find much better upside at around pick 53 if he's there, where we'll likely be. Anyone we pick will need development and refining, so what's most important...a higher floor or higher upside?

His stats at EMU actually are rather comparable to Ant's at Georgia, which is intriguing to me. Like Ant, he's also young for his class. Just turned 19 in January with two years of college experience.

Edwards 19.1 points on 15.8 shots per game. 40.2% FGs, 29.4% 3s. 2.8 assists to 2.7 turnovers.
Bates had 19.2 points on 15.9 shots per game. 40.5% FGs, 33.0% 3s. 1.4 assists to 2.5 turnovers.

Offensive game is silky smooth, though too iso heavy.

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[frankenwolf]

Anyone we pick will need development and refining, so what's most important...a higher floor or higher upside?

I think at that point in the draft, higher upside because the Wolves can work to bring that out rather than rushing the draftee. Higher floor if you are planning on them making and staying in the association right away.

[Neeva]

Definitely take Bates with our second.

[younggunsmn]

Our pick going to Utah will be:

13th - If both MIN and MIA don't make it out of the play in (Or Utah moves up into top 4 via lottery win)
14th - If MIN doesnt make it out of the play-in, but Miami does (Or Utah moves up into top 4)
16th - MIN, MIA, LAL all make it out of the play-in
17th - MIN makes it out, one of MIA or LAL do not
18th - MIN makes it out, both MIA and LAL do not

MIN is also tied with NO, so could be a coinflip if we both make it out of the play-in, which could push it to 18 or 19.
I think if we both miss out, NO losing in the 9-10 game would put their pick ahead of ours.
So worst case for Utah is us beating the Lakers and then Pelicans beating Lakers in the 2nd round of the play-in, and Miami losing 2 play-in games.

Our 2nd rounder via NYK should be #53
With 3 2-way spots next year, maybe we snag a priority undrafted free agent too.

[Norseman79]

I think Bates is a no brainier. I don't see anyway we don't end up with a 1rst next year. Gotta think PG or F is the way we look and Bates and a few others could do both.

Who are your top prospects that fit the Wolves if we do end up with a mid-late 1rst? Bates, Miller, Hendricks, etc..

[Klomp]

So from everything we've been told, we're staying big. In order to do that, you need to continue to build up the army. Whoever we draft likely won't be a rotational piece, but someone to monitor in the G League and likely on a two-way contract. So the fact that we have a number of bodies at PF and C shouldn't really be a concern for the front office to worry about.

He's a big man, but recorded a triple-double with assists early this season against Syracuse, shredding the zone.

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[theGreatRC]

I think we trade up in the 2nd round imo by using some of the 2nds we got from the DLo deal

[minimus]

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Yeah, steal rate is one of good metrics to find draft "steals". Maybe TC can do a miracle and get Colby Jones and Jaime Jaquez

[shrink]

Last night I read through the 2022 Draft Thread, expecting a lot of bad takes. I thought that’s just the nature of the beast - it’s so hard to know how a player will do his rookie season.

It turns out, we have some really really smart draft gurus here! I know nothing about the prospects, so I’m going to put a lot of weight in your takes.

If this is interesting to you, here’s a link

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2205478

[Klomp]

I've slightly shifted my focus, now examining the 2/3/4s, as those are becoming the bread and butter of the league. I'm especially focusing on the defensive end, so Kevin McCullar has really caught my eye.

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Initially, people will be scared off by him being an older college player at 22, but then consider the fact that he's actually young for his class being FIVE years removed from high school.

[Klomp]

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[Neeva]

Damn ok he wont be there when the Wolves pick now. I am still all in on Emoni Bates. I think he can be a future scorer off the bench for the wolves.

[Klomp]

Any opposition to using 53/2-way on him?

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[minimus]

Any opposition to using 53/2-way on him?

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His first alleyoop pass to Gobert would be hilarious

[Neeva]

Any opposition to using 53/2-way on him?

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He’s like 5’6 tall isn’t he? I think his listed height is generous. I aint using the pick on him but definitely pick him up as undrafted free agent if he’s there. It’s known wolves need a backup pg so choosing the wolves should be a good chance for him. TBH Seeing him on the summer league wolves team with Moore and Minott would be fun.

[slick21]

For a 2nd round PG prospect, I like Beekman or Pickett more than Nowell.

[BlacJacMac]

Any opposition to using 53/2-way on him?

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He’s like 5’6 tall isn’t he? I think his listed height is generous. I aint using the pick on him but definitely pick him up as undrafted free agent if he’s there. It’s known wolves need a backup pg so choosing the wolves should be a good chance for him. TBH Seeing him on the summer league team wolves team would be fun.

I absolutely love his game, but who was the last guy close to his size that made any kind of impact? Boykins? Spudd in the early 90s? I don't see those guys having any success in the current game.

I have a huge soft spot those Muggsy Hornets teams, but those were much more about Zo, Grandmama, Hersey, Gill, etc.

[Worm Guts]

I would think today’s game would be more conducive to smaller players since it is more spaced out, although we really haven’t seen the evidence yet in terms of success from smaller players.

[Klomp]

I absolutely love his game, but who was the last guy close to his size that made any kind of impact? Boykins? Spudd in the early 90s? I don't see those guys having any success in the current game.

I have a huge soft spot those Muggsy Hornets teams, but those were much more about Zo, Grandmama, Hersey, Gill, etc.

No one drafted at 53 will be the centerpiece of the franchise. It will be a development piece.

I just feel like height is the only deterrent here. He's shown out on a big stage in the NCAA Tournament, now performing pretty well in workouts from what I've seen.

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[Klomp]

I absolutely love his game, but who was the last guy close to his size that made any kind of impact?

Isaiah Thomas had a pretty solid run. Nate Robinson had a few good years too.