2022 NBA Draft Talk: Never too soon

[KGdaBom]

The more I dig into the top 100 the more I like that we have 3 2nd’s. This seems like a really good year to have more bites at the apple.

I like the way you think.

[NebWolvesFan]

I would be happy with Capella, depending on the cost, even if it involves trading out of the draft. He gives us the strength and rim protection we're lacking. He doesn't need to do much on offense beside dunk and catch lobs. With more rebounding we will be SUCH a better team.

We have to be only team with an ALL-NBA player whose big offseason plan is to spend 60 million on a player who plays the same position.

I know we are all dying for a transaction, especially since as an organization there has really only been two transactions (Rubio, Culver trade) in the last 18 months, but let's not move Towns around when he's elite at his current position.

Draft Eason or Lindell and say no to Capela.

[thinktank]

I think 19 is too high for Kessler. I'm skeptical that Kessler can play high-wall or switching defensive schemes at the NBA level which limits his usefulness. I expect 2 of Washington/Liddell/Williams to be available and I'd rather have any of them over Kessler.

I agree. #19 is way too high for Kessler. I really like the Arkansas PF/C Jaylin Williams. I think he'll be a fine pro.

I think I take Jalen Williams before the other two, but I do think Jaylen Williams will probably be better than Kessler. All three will have solid careers.

[Dewey]

I would be happy with Capella, depending on the cost, even if it involves trading out of the draft. He gives us the strength and rim protection we're lacking. He doesn't need to do much on offense beside dunk and catch lobs. With more rebounding we will be SUCH a better team.

We have to be only team with an ALL-NBA player whose big offseason plan is to spend 60 million on a player who plays the same position.

I know we are all dying for a transaction, especially since as an organization there has really only been two transactions (Rubio, Culver trade) in the last 18 months, but let's not move Towns around when he's elite at his current position.

Draft Eason or Lindell and say no to Capela.

It’s alarming that your not acknowledging our severe lack of interior defense and the impact on wins/losses. It’s not dying for a transaction…

[Norseman79]

I would be happy with Capella, depending on the cost, even if it involves trading out of the draft. He gives us the strength and rim protection we're lacking. He doesn't need to do much on offense beside dunk and catch lobs. With more rebounding we will be SUCH a better team.

We have to be only team with an ALL-NBA player whose big offseason plan is to spend 60 million on a player who plays the same position.

I know we are all dying for a transaction, especially since as an organization there has really only been two transactions (Rubio, Culver trade) in the last 18 months, but let's not move Towns around when he's elite at his current position.

Draft Eason or Lindell and say no to Capela.

Except, they won't be playing the same position. Kat out of the post is coming. If it makes you feel better, call them bigs instead of centers...Kat is a stretch big, new guy will be a rim running, defensive rebounding, shot blocker. And we will be playing two bigs at the same time. See, didn't say C once. I hate the new NBA - the threes, positionless basketball, the soft fouls, the big mouths, but it is what it is. I still love the game

[Devilzsidewalk]

I think 19 is too high for Kessler. I'm skeptical that Kessler can play high-wall or switching defensive schemes at the NBA level which limits his usefulness. I expect 2 of Washington/Liddell/Williams to be available and I'd rather have any of them over Kessler.

I agree. #19 is way too high for Kessler. I really like the Arkansas PF/C Jaylin Williams. I think he'll be a fine pro.

I think I take Jalen Williams before the other two, but I do think Jaylen Williams will probably be better than Kessler. All three will have solid careers.

Feels super unlikely Jalen Williams falls to 19 at this point.

[Norseman79]

I agree. #19 is way too high for Kessler. I really like the Arkansas PF/C Jaylin Williams. I think he'll be a fine pro.

I think I take Jalen Williams before the other two, but I do think Jaylen Williams will probably be better than Kessler. All three will have solid careers.

Feels super unlikely Jalen Williams falls to 19 at this point.

True, but I've seen a lot more mocks lately that have Mark Williams and Jalen Duren dropping to mid teens and even twenties

[SmokeyPaw]

Mocks have tried to give us TyTy, but I think I would rather draft Kennedy Chandler if PG is the target. Thoughts?

He's just too small for me, I don't really want TyTy either. Chandler could have success, but in today's NBA he might get targeted a lot on defense too.

He's a similar size to Beverley. From what I've seen, while maybe not on Pat's level (few are), I think he can still hold his own.

Think they're both decent prospects who likely top out as backup point guards. I like Dalen Terry somehat better as he's more versatile. He's 6'7 with a 7 foot WS. A scout was quoted in an TheAthletic article saying that he was the most competitive of the prospects they'd interviewed/worked out.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=kennedy-chandler--dalen-terry--tyty-washington

[jpatrick]

He's just too small for me, I don't really want TyTy either. Chandler could have success, but in today's NBA he might get targeted a lot on defense too.

He's a similar size to Beverley. From what I've seen, while maybe not on Pat's level (few are), I think he can still hold his own.

Think they're both decent prospects who likely top out as backup point guards. I like Dalen Terry somehat better as he's more versatile. He's 6'7 with a 7 foot WS. A scout was quoted in an TheAthletic article saying that he was the most competitive of the prospects they'd interviewed/worked out.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=kennedy-chandler--dalen-terry--tyty-washington

I can’t help but loving the Terry type of player. Tall, defensive, good passer, glue type guys. Players like Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, Halliburton, etc, even if you don’t want them to be primary initiators, win games. In this class you have Daniels and Terry.

I’m not sure how Terry scores unless the shot really comes along. But I want him on the team. He could be a good compliment to Ant in the backcourt as a PatBev replacement if we decide to put the ball in Ants hands full time like the Celtics did with Tatum. The shot needs to fall and on volume though.

I’m not sure Terry is even there at 19.

[Baseline81]

It seems as though most mocks have the Wolves drafting TyTy Washington. Is this because they believe the team will be trading Russell?

[Colbinii]

It seems as though most mocks have the Wolves drafting TyTy Washington. Is this because they believe the team will be trading Russell?

No?

Drafting at #19, you are hoping to get a solid NBA rotation player and would be ecstatic if they turned out to be starters.

From 2013-2017, the better players in the 17-21 range are Schroeder, Delon Wright, Tony Snell, Bobby Portis, Malik Beasley, Caris LaVert, John Collins, Josh Okogie, Kevin Huerter, Grayson Allen, Lonnie Walker III, Donte Divicenzo

Thats 1 player who is even close to an all-star and an above average starter [John Collins] then a bunch of low-end starters/bench pieces and another 12 or 13 guys who aren't even in NBA Rotations.

You draft BPA at #19 and don't look back.

[Baseline81]

You draft BPA at #19 and don't look back.

And you think Washington is BPA at that point?

[Colbinii]

You draft BPA at #19 and don't look back.

And you think Washington is BPA at that point?

No idea, I haven't spent thousands of hours covering prospects like the Timberwolves Organization has.

I sure hope they take BPA at #19, regardless of position. Hopefully that player is a tooly-wing.

[Klomp]

It seems as though most mocks have the Wolves drafting TyTy Washington. Is this because they believe the team will be trading Russell?

It probably speaks more to the fact that most national writers and mockers don't understand what we have in Jordan McLaughlin.

[Klomp]

Here's where I'm starting to stand in regards to manipulating our way up or down the draft board:

-If we attach a piece to 19, it will be Malik Beasley. Best opportunity to get bang for our buck, and he will be the best way to add value to a trade. Use him to trade up a few spots, or maybe even combine Beasley and the pick for a better player.
-If we attach a piece to a 2nd, it will be Reid and/or Nowell. Reid's inclusion will depend on if we are targeting a replacement big anywhere on draft day.

[minimus]

https://youtu.be/kQIOhkP_QG4

Hidden gem?

[SmokeyPaw]

Found this list of confirmed workouts:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.canishoopus.com/platform/amp/2022/6/6/23157099/minnesota-timberwolves-2022-nba-draft-workouts-tracker

[Nick K]

Has anyone in this thread we shouldn’t draft Kessler because of three point shooting?

My issue is taking any center. We need a veteran center, not someone who needs to be developed. Feel like we could get higher upside players that will get a chance to develop at other positions.

Plus one of the biggest problems with these massive centers is they aren’t particularly good defending perimeter players. I’m not a big Duren person, but his mobility looks a lot more impressive and will translate better on defense than guys like Kessler and Williams.

Meanwhile Isaiah Hartenstien is a free agent, massive like these prospects and has proven to be an impactful defender, with some offensive versatility as well.

I love Hartenstein as a FA pickup this summer and it might happen, or something like that. Chris Finch hinted on a radio show recently that the Wolves might look for a big in free agency not in the draft. Who knows if he's blowing smoke to protect his pick? It makes some sense.

[SO_MONEY]

Has anyone in this thread we shouldn’t draft Kessler because of three point shooting?

My issue is taking any center. We need a veteran center, not someone who needs to be developed. Feel like we could get higher upside players that will get a chance to develop at other positions.

Plus one of the biggest problems with these massive centers is they aren’t particularly good defending perimeter players. I’m not a big Duren person, but his mobility looks a lot more impressive and will translate better on defense than guys like Kessler and Williams.

Meanwhile Isaiah Hartenstien is a free agent, massive like these prospects and has proven to be an impactful defender, with some offensive versatility as well.

I love Hartenstein as a FA pickup this summer and it might happen, or something like that. Chris Finch hinted on a radio show recently that the Wolves might look for a big in free agency not in the draft. Who knows if he's blowing smoke to protect his pick? It makes some sense.

Jalen Smith please...

[Nick K]

Mocks have tried to give us TyTy, but I think I would rather draft Kennedy Chandler if PG is the target. Thoughts?

I really want to like Kennedy but he's so small. He's a talented kid but I see backup PG only in the NBA.