2011 Draft watch

[Vindicater]

No it is not too early.

Obviously we wont know exactly where we will pick (nowhere worse than 6th I would think) and we don't know how the Memphis and Utah picks will play out but lets have some discussion about guys we like.

I have purposely left out Barnes and Jones here because others can talk about them and they are obvious picks. But who else interests you.

Jonas Valanciunas - Just watched some clips on this kid and had a little read about him. I don't know how I feel about adding another European Big to our team but this kid seems like an athlete (unlike Pek and Darko) and looks like he can finish at the rim well. Has incredible length for his size and good hops so would be a shot blocking threat right from the start. Not too sure where he will end up in the draft, I think anywhere from 6-20 In my opinion depending on other prospects and teams needs.

[cpfsf]

I'm going to watch a few games of college basketball before even considering this stuff.

[shangrila]

It is too early, because besides the fact that we don't know how any of our picks will turn out we especially don't know how any of the players are going to do or who will declare with this lockout looming. Saying that, I'll have a go for some fun.

For starters I think it's tough to predict what this team needs. It's obviously not a finished product but there's pieces at almost every position that have long term written all over them which is different from almost every single year we've ever been drafting. But if I had to choose I'd say a replacement for Brewer and probably a backup power forward would be at the top of the list.

For the backup PF, I like John Henson. He's got a lot of the same strengths as Bjelica did (ball handling, passing for a big man) while sharing some of the weakenesses (lack of strength). The area I noticed the difference between was in shotblocking, where Henson seems to have the clear advantage. And for this team that's something that they could really use. So since he fits into the offence, at least on paper, I'd draft him and let him develop behind Tolliver until he leaves and them have him as the full time backup for Love.

For the Brewer replacement, there's a few. Tyler Honeycutt is one as he's a similar skinny defender type of player, although he seems to have more skills. They could also look closer to home with the Gophers' own Rodney Williams, who's a raw athletic freak but could replace the same defensive energy Brewer brings. However, I'm going to go with Jordan Hamilton. He's almost the opposite of Brewer in that he's more offensive then defensive, but he's automatic with his feet set and by the looks of things now understands what he needs to do to win. I also like him because I think he'll be a middle of the 1st round type of prospect, which should be right around were this team is picking.

There's a few others too that look interesting if they decide to keep drafting to keep/stash somewhere. I really like LaceDarius Dunn and I think he'll be this draft's version of Marcus Thornton. Both DJ Kennedy and Gilbert Brown look like the same kind of prospect that Lazar Hayward was this year. I also think that drafting a point guard could be beneficial, as I can't see both Flynn and Ridnour staying after Rubio arrives so drafting a 3rd string might be a good idea and I like McCamey for that. He's nothing special but he should be solid, a lot like Eric Maynor was when he declared.

[Krapinsky]

I don't see anyone in the draft pool other than Barnes that could make much of an impact on this team in the next three to four years. Consider me not very interested in having this discussion this year.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I see where this is going: Perry Jones and Barnes will look like perennial all stars and future hall of famers, Wolves get one of the worst records in the league, we send _______ to the draft lotto with a special lucky charm, Wolves fans pull out their thousand yard stare as we draw the #4 pick

[shangrila]

I see where this is going: Perry Jones and Barnes will look like perennial all stars and future hall of famers, Wolves get one of the worst records in the league, we send _______ to the draft lotto with a special lucky charm, Wolves fans pull out their thousand yard stare as we draw the #4 pick

Nah that was last year. This year we'll start with the 6-7th pick, everyone will just assume we'll keep it and then BAM...we get the 3rd pick.

[big3_8_19_21]

I see where this is going: Perry Jones and Barnes will look like perennial all stars and future hall of famers, Wolves get one of the worst records in the league, we send _______ to the draft lotto with a special lucky charm, Wolves fans pull out their thousand yard stare as we draw the #4 pick

Nah that was last year. This year we'll start with the 6-7th pick, everyone will just assume we'll keep it and then BAM...we get the 3rd pick.

The ultimate middle finger. Hey, you moved up in the draft for the first time in history!...and missed out on a 2 man race!

[jpatrick]

Nope. The ultimate middle finger is when our lotto combo pops out in 2012 and the Clippers get the #1 pick in the draft. After watching the last two games, I can't imagine we'll be much better by next year.

I'm a little afraid the 2011 draft will be affected by the possible lockout. Could players like Barnes stay in school another year and thus make 2011 a weak draft and 2012 a strong one? That would not be good. Even if everyone declares, outside of Barnes, at this point, I don't see any real immediate impact guys. That will of course change as the games start, I hope.

[TyKixx]

Does the Cuse have any potential draft eligible players with nice smiles?

[Worm Guts]

I don't know Fab Melo looks like, but he has a friendly sounding name. I'm guessing he'll be our next center.

[jscott]

Nope. The ultimate middle finger is when our lotto combo pops out in 2012 and the Clippers get the #1 pick in the draft. After watching the last two games, I can't imagine we'll be much better by next year.

I'm a little afraid the 2011 draft will be affected by the possible lockout. Could players like Barnes stay in school another year and thus make 2011 a weak draft and 2012 a strong one? That would not be good. Even if everyone declares, outside of Barnes, at this point, I don't see any real immediate impact guys. That will of course change as the games start, I hope.

Yeah this is how I've thought it will play out.

Clipps will be a 6 seed with our #1 pick.

[Twolves98]

Lets bring everything that has ever brought us bad luck to the next draft... maybe that will work

[wildvikeswolves]

send maya moore to the draft lottery

[Klomp]

Lets bring everything that has ever brought us bad luck to the next draft... maybe that will work

Not enough room for that.

[LordBaldric]

I see us choosing from among slim pickings this year, then handing over our 2012 pick to the Clippers in a stocked draft. Ugh...

[cpfsf]

Lets bring everything that has ever brought us bad luck to the next draft... maybe that will work

Holy water, clippers, a teddy bear, and Paul Allen?

[Foye]

This will be the year we finally get the #1 pick but have to pick Elias Harris first because all the good prospects stay out of the draft due to the possible lockout. Book it.

[princeofpalace]

Do you really see guy sitting out the 2011 draft?

Isn't it better to get drafted even w/a possible lockout then go back to school? What if you get injured? What if your stock drops etc..

[moss_is_1]

Barnes or Jones right now.

Someone I'm keeping my eye on is Alec Burks from Colorado. Played great as a freshman last season. Great scorer, wonder if his game improves this season.

[shangrila]

Do you really see guy sitting out the 2011 draft?

Isn't it better to get drafted even w/a possible lockout then go back to school? What if you get injured? What if your stock drops etc..

I kind of agree. It'd be interesting to see if the NCAA would let them continue to play college ball in a situation like that.

But I don't see why the 2012 draft would be that strong. This year I can understand everyone declaring because of the threat of a lockout but normally a lot of the guys would have just gone back to school.