RealGM Analysis
2007-2008 Finish: 22-60
2008 Draft Picks: 3rd, 31st, 34th
Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Randy Foye
SG Marko Jaric
SF Corey Brewer
PF Craig Smith
C Al Jefferson
Key Reserves:
PG Sebastian Telfair
SG Rashad McCants
SF Kirk Snyder
What the Wolves Do Well:
The Timberwolves are in full speed rebuilding mode right now. They have been stockpiling young talent and this third pick in the Draft will give them yet another talented youth to add to their core.
At the center of the Kevin Garnett trade from a year ago, they obtained a new face of the franchise for the next decade. Big Al Jefferson had a monster year for the Wolves last season, averaging career highs in scoring (21.0 ppg) and rebounding (11.1 rpg). It appears that the 23-year old Jefferson is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.
On the outside, Minnesota appears to have found its point guard and small forward of the future. Randy Foye posted career highs across the board last year despite only playing in just under half the season due to injuries (39 games). His 13.1 points and 4.2 assists per game gave Minnesota management a firm belief that he is capable of being their point guard of the future.
At small forward, the Wolves selected former Florida star Corey Brewer with the 7th pick in last year?s Draft. He had a productive rookie year coming off the bench and often showed flashes of brilliance, like when he had a career-high 18 rebounds in a December game against Atlanta.
Greatest Areas of Improvement:
Big Bodies in the Paint
The Wolves have no roster players at 7 feet tall, and Al Jefferson is the tallest guy on the team standing at 6-10 and 256 lbs. The rest of the bigs on the roster are wide, but not very tall. Craig Smith is listed at 6-7, 272 lbs and Chris Richard is 6-9, 255 lbs. There is a lot of beef in the frontcourt, but nothing very tall. Jefferson was the only person on the floor to average more than 1.0 blocks per game ? he averaged 1.45 ? after they cut the archaic Theo Ratliff. Adding a big man with this pick seems like the most intelligent route to take if the Wolves plan to compete with the more formidable frontcourts in the West.
A Long Range Sniper
From the outside, the Wolves didn?t have many options for long range shooting. Sure, Foye and Rashad McCants hit on over 40% of their three-pointers, but they are the two backcourt guys who are primarily handling the ball. Rookie Corey Brewer had a tough time adjusting to the NBA three-point distance as he only connected on 19% from beyond the arc. Kevin McHale should look to land a long range shooter for Foye, McCants, or Sebastian Telfair to kick it out to while penetrating the paint.
Who?s Gone Number 3 Recently?
The third pick has proven to be an extremely valuable selection in recent years. The reason for getting such value is normally a team reaching for a player early on to fill a need, as was the case with Deron Williams slipping to Utah in 2005 (Milwaukee picked Andrew Bogut instead of the Fighting Illini point) and Carmelo Anthony falling to the Nuggets in 2003 (Detroit picked Darko instead of Carmelo because?well, we still have no idea why?). However, that seems less likely to happen this year because, like last year, there are two clear-cut can?t miss prospects slated to go 1 and 2 without a doubt. But hey, you never know ? maybe Pat Riley really likes O.J. Mayo at number 2.
2007
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
2006
Adam Morrison, Charlotte Bobcats
2005
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz (pick acquired from Portland)
2004
Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls
2003
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
Who Should the Timberwolves Target?
For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Wolves should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.
Kevin Love is the perfect compliment to Big Al. He is a big body at 6-10 and 260 lbs and is one of the most fundamental players in this Draft. Despite being talented in scoring on the block, he has the ability to shoot from the outside with accuracy. His passing and rebounding skills are top notch and he is deceptively strong and agile for a player of his size. With an inside tandem of Jefferson and Love, the Timberwolves would have two very reliable options down low, who can both rip down boards. He is extremely intelligent on the floor and helps to make his teammates better. He is a very likable character and would be an instant fan favorite, even if being taken with the third pick seems a reach for a guy who somewhat resembles a frat guy.
Brook Lopez made a name for himself with the gaudy numbers he put up while carrying the Stanford Cardinals to the Sweet Sixteen. His 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game were impressive in the Pac-10, and his size and fluidity on the block will make him a definite starter at the next level. Pair him with Al Jefferson, and the Wolves have one of the more talented offensive frontcourt tandems in the league.
Mayo has the ability to be a prolific marksman in the NBA, and would instantly give the fans a celebrity name to stand out in Minnesota. Mayo would bring star power back to the Wolves, something that was missing last season after dealing Kevin Garnett to Boston. On the court, he would serve as another combo guard to play alongside Foye. However, his bona fide defense and sweet stroke from three will make him a great pickup for the T-Wolves.
Who Do the Fans Want?
According to Andrew Perna?s Minnesota Lottery Summit, the fans of Minnesota have made it known that they would an upgrade at the shooting guard position. The consensus of the Minny faithful suggested that they want the third overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft to be:
O.J. Mayo, SG ? USC
Picks Over the Past Five Years
It has been well documented that the Wolves were not very smart with the Joe Smith allegations, and were forced to forfeit Draft picks. But the over the past three years, they have made some pretty solid picks. McCants is proving to be a valuable sparkplug off the bench and as mentioned earlier, Corey Brewer looks to be the real deal. Unfortunately, they didn?t hold onto their 2006 selection, Brandon Roy, because he went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award in his first season and was playing at an All Star level during his second. However, they traded him to Portland for Randy Foye, which has turned out pretty well for the Wolves after all. Notably, they have done well selecting second rounders Craig Smith and Chris Richard.
2007
Corey Brewer, 7th
Chris Richard, 41st
2006
Brandon Roy, 6th (traded to Portland)
Craig Smith, 36th
Bobby Jones, 37th (traded to Philadelphia)
Loukas Mavrokefalidis, 57th
2005
Rashad McCants, 14th
Bracey Wright, 47th
2004
Minnesota forfeits first rounder
Blake Stepp, 59th
2003
Ndudi Ebi, 23rd
Rick Rickert, 55th
Who do you want the Timberwolves to draft at number 3? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.