With the First Pick the Minnesota Timberwolves Select…
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November 4, 2020
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been rebuilding for a long time now. This year they finished 14th in the West with a record of 19-45. They now have a fairly decent young roster consisting of all-star caliber center Karl-Anthony Towns and star guard D’Angelo Russell along with young prospects Jarret Culver, Malik Beasley, and Josh Okogie.
Although their performance this year was disappointing, it was enough to win them the 1st pick in the 2020 NBA draft which will be taking place on November 18th. That’s about two weeks away so the Timberwolves have a little bit of time to decide what to do with the pick.
The first option they have is to use the pick on who they believe to be the best player in the draft for their team. There are a few players who could be considered the best in this year’s class, but the main two are Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.
Anthony Edwards is a shooting guard coming from the University of Georgia. At 6’5” and 225 lbs he is extremely athletic and will be a force in the NBA. His build is unique and his strength will be a problem for defenders. LaMelo Ball on the other hand is 6’8” and 181 lbs, taller than most guards. He’s a great passer like his brother Lonzo on the Pelicans and he can shoot very well. His ability to generate offense and keep pace would be great for the Timberwolves.
Another option that the Timberwolves have is to trade the pick for a star player to try to win now. There have been talks about a possible deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons. Ben Simmons is a terrific playmaker and defender. He can guard every position very well. Of course, the concern with him has always been his inability to develop a consistent jumper which makes it hard to spread the floor. Nonetheless, Ben Simmons would be a great addition to any team.
Another player the Timberwolves could pursue with this pick is Victor Oladipo, shooting guard for the Indiana Pacers. It’s been rumored that he wants out of Indiana so the Pacers could be looking to move him. Oladipo has proven himself to be a great scorer and a solid defender. Unfortunately, he has dealt with some injuries that have held him back, but if he can stay healthy he may be a good fit for the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves have many options as to what they can do with this pick. Although they seem to have underperformed in recent years, there is a reason for optimism with this team as they could soon acquire their missing piece.