A Timberwolves Tradition: NBA Draft talk in December

Nov 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau on the sideline against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

With 57 games remaining in the 2016-17 NBA season, the Timberwolves are just a half-game above the worst record in basketball, which means that we’re reviving a sad tradition.

Sadly, another rough to a season means that its time to renew a Timberwolves fan’s tradition: reviewing potential NBA Draft picks in the middle of December.

During the NBA off-season, countless blogs, articles, writers and sports bettors seemingly agreed that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be good at basketball. They also agreed that this team would touch 40 wins.

But, as Wolves fans, here we are once again, at the bottom of the league looking up. Every year, Wolves fans say, ‘This is the year the Wolves are going to be good again.’ And without fail, this team continues to let down it’s fans.

With a record of 7-18 through the team’s first 25 games, neither the playoffs or even 40 wins are likely to occur. Thankfully, the Timberwolves hold a first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

At the time of this writing, Tankathon ranks the Timberwolves as tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the highest odds of receiving the first-overall pick in next June’s draft.

So, let’s look at what the Wolves options will be come late June.

Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Markelle Fultz – PG, University of Washington

Yes, the Timberwolves just drafted Kris Dunn in the 2016 NBA Draft, but it’s seeming more and more like Dunn could be an off-ball creator rather than a traditional pick-and-roll point guard.

Meet Markelle Fultz. Through his first nine games at The University of Washington, Fultz’s per game averages currently sit at 22.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.2 blocks on 49.7 percent shooting, including 48.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Guess what, Wolves fans? You wouldn’t have to worry about a point guard that can’t shoot anymore! And at 6′-4″, 185 pounds with a wingspan of 6′ -8.5″, Fultz is physically ready for the NBA right now.

The below video clearly shows why Fultz could be drafted first-overall in next year’s draft. He’s big enough to where he can see over the defense, he’s athletic, and best of all for Wolves fans, he runs the pick-and-roll effectively simply he can shoot out of it!

Fultz’s downside comes mostly on his attitude. While he is extremely talented, Fultz can sometimes grow overconfident in his abilities. This shows up when he begins to force contested shots early in the shot clock, and his effort on the defensive end lapses at times. However, Fultz is only 18 years old — there is going to be some flaws in his game.

Obviously, there’s an elephant in the room, and his name is Ricky Rubio. If Fultz was to be drafted by the Wolves, there would simply be too many point guards on the roster.

If I’m Thibodeau sitting there with the first-overall pick in this year’s draft, I would take Fultz and subsequently flip Rubio and his bargain contract for a reliable bench scorer.

Dec 6, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) looks to pass as UMKC Kangaroos forward Jordan Giles (5) defends during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

2. Josh Jackson – SF, Kansas

Realistically, drafting another potential star small forward from Kansas doesn’t make a lot of sense. There would be a logjam at the position and one of these guys could end up needing to be moved.

Unless you could mold Josh Jackson into a stretch-four, that is. At 18 years old, Jackson is 6′-7.75″, 203 pounds, with a wingspan of 6′-9.75″, and he’ll likely continue to grow. However, Jackson would have to improve his three-point shot dramatically. as he’s currently shooting just 23.8 percent from deep through 10 games at Kansas.

Currently, Jackson’s game resembles the Wolves’ own Andrew Wiggins in some ways. Through the use of spins, athleticism, and acrobatic acts Jackson gets to the basket at will. He also has the ability to run the pick-and-roll as a ball-handler.

The flaws are very apparent, however. His shooting form doesn’t seem to be reliable, and this very well could be a significant reason as to why his shooting numbers are poor.

Jackson also struggles to maintain emotional balance while on the court. Again, like Fultz, he’s very young and maturity in this area comes with time and development.

As you can see, there’s a lot of skill set overlap in the two Kansas products. Drafting Josh Jackson might not be a step in the right direction for this organization, and it could create more issues within the team.

3. Dennis Smith – PG, NC State

The electric guard from NC State is currently averaging 18.3 points, 5.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals on 40.3 percent shooting through nine games. A big downside, however, is his three-point stroke; he’s shooting 26.3 percent from downtown to this point.

Drafting Smith would only make sense if the Timberwolves fell to the the third or fourth pick in the draft. If the the Wolves were to draft him, Smith would probably become a spark plug off the bench. Personally, I see him as a player similar in style to Charlotte Hornets guard, Kemba Walker.

Smith is extremely quick and explosive off the dribble, as well as athletic around the rim. He’s definitely a score-first guard who would be required to learn the details of running an offense. He can be effective in the pick-and-roll but due to his height (6′-1.5″), it can be a struggle at times.

Overall, Smith is a very average-sized prospect. With a wingspan of 6′-3′” Smith is limited to strictly guarding the opposing point guard. In a league where switching and small ball continues to be prevalent, Smith would be a liability on the defensive end.

Dec 8, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Will The Timberwolves Use Their Draft Selection?

From what I’ve seen of Tom Thibodeau, I don’t believe that he will use the Timberwolves pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Rumors have already circulated that Thibodeau wants to move a young piece for an established veteran, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Thibodeau moved this pick before the trade deadline — Thibodeau is here to win, not to imitate Sam Hinkie’s “Process”.

If Thibodeau was to use this pick, I believe that it should be used on Washington point guard Markelle Fultz if at all possible. While it may not make total sense to draft more young talent, it’s extremely hard to pass up on the player that Fultz appears to be. He is, at this young stage, a near perfect representation of a point guard.

While it’s only the beginning of December, some Wolves fans will hold out hope that this team can turn it around, myself included. But the likelihood of that happening is extremely small. Wolves fans will continue to do what they do best: look to the future.