Five NBA Draft Options for the Minnesota Timberwolves if Lottery Gods Smile Down

Photo: NUCCIO DINUZZO – ASSOCIATED PRESS


Ever since the NBA Postponed its season on March 11th, due to Coronavirus, fans have been wondering when we will see live NBA action again. We do know the Minnesota Timberwolves have a 14% chance of securing the #1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, if the season doesn’t continue or the league goes directly to the playoffs.

14% is tied for the best odds to secure that top spot. The three worst teams in the league all get the same 14% chance. That’s a big change from 2018-2019, when the worst team had a 25% chance for the top overall pick and a 64.3% chance to remain in the top-3. The new system was enacted to dissuade teams from tanking for the #1 pick. Could an NBA rule change actually end up benefitting the Wolves…?

There are 5 prospects I’d like to see the Timberwolves draft, assuming they land a top 5 pick.


Anthony Edwards G

Anthony Edwards is a 6”5 Guard from the University of Georgia. He is the overall favorite to be drafted 1st overall, so the Wolves would more than likely have to win the Lottery, to draft Edwards. Edwards only spent one season at Georgia averaging 19.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.8 APG.

Edwards has amazing athleticism and is only 18 year old. If you had to pick one thing that he could improve on, it would be ball security. He averaged 2.7 turnovers/game last season and that’s too high, especially for someone who will soon be facing NBA caliber defenses.



James Wiseman C

James Wiseman, a 7”1 Center from Memphis, was widely considered to be the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft but that has since changed for two reasons. One being the emergence of Anthony Edwards, the other being that Wiseman chose to leave Memphis early in the season, amid controversy, to focus on the NBA. This caused Wiseman’s draft stock to fall a little bit. James played the first 3 games of the year and then was suspended for 12 games due to an NCAA investigation. Wiseman left Memphis 7 games into his suspension.

Wiseman is still a physical specimen, who has the ability to dominate the glass in the NBA, as long as the off-the-court issues stay to a minimum. Despite only played three games at the University of Memphis, it’s clear he has the talent. I feel Wiseman would fit nicely in our rotation, while sliding Karl Anthony-Towns to the 4, which would minimize his need to defend big, elite centers. 



LaMelo Ball G

LaMelo Ball is the most interesting prospect on this list. Everyone knows about the Ball family by now, but bringing in the youngest Ball brother would be fun to watch on the court. As long as Lavar Ball (LaMelo’s father) doesn’t get involved, I am all for LaMelo becomming a member of the Timberwolves.

Ball most recently played professionally in Australia, playing 12 total games this past season averaging 17.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 6.8 APG. LaMelo, 6”7, is a taller guard who is not afraid to do damage on the glass but also has elite passing talent. A backcourt of D’Angelo Russell and LaMelo Ball would make for a very entertaining brand of basketball.



Onyeka Okongwu PF/C

Onyeka Okongwu, another one-and-done prospect, is from the University of Southern California. Okongwu appeared in 28 games for the Trojans last year averaging 16.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.7 Blocks per game. He is the most well-rounded prospect on this list, and can dominate on both sides of the ball. The one thing Okongwu struggles with is passing the ball, only averaging 1.1 APG with an assist to turnover ratio of 0.54. 



Obi Toppin PF

Obi Toppin is a Forward from Dayton University, who burst onto the scene this past year. Toppin led the Dayton Flyers to 29-2 record and an eventual #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, before it was cancelled. Toppin averaged 20.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 2.2 APG in 2019-2020 for Dayton. He may slide, come draft night, because he is already 22 years old, which is 4 years older than Anthony Edwards. 



The Wolves could draft any one of these guys and I would be content with our team going into the 2020-2021 season. With both the draft lottery and the NBA draft dates yet to be announced, we’ll have to wait on when and where the Timberwolves will be drafting…

Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan