The 2020 NBA Draft is still a couple of months away, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are already reportedly feeling the pressure of nailing their selection with the first overall pick. If rumors are to be believed, they might not even use the draft pick but instead look to trade it.
At least that’s according to a Western Conference executive who spoke to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman.
Article Continues BelowAccording to a Western Conference executive, word around the league is Minnesota isn't leaning one way at No. 1, sounds “confused” and feels pressure after “messing up last year by trading for Jarrett Culver.”
The belief is that Minnesota's priority is to trade, realistically down the board assuming an established star won't become available.
The Timberwolves had the 11th overall pick in last year’s draft, but they traded up with the Phoenix Suns for the chance to select Culver, a sophomore out of Texas Tech at sixth overall, giving up Dario Saric to the Suns as part of the deal. Culver, in his rookie season, averaged 9.2 points on 40.4% shooting, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists for Minnesota.
If the Timberwolves do end up keeping the pick, the report states they are leaning toward selecting point guard LaMelo Ball over Georgia’s Anthony Edwards. Ball, who last played for National Basketball League in Australia, averaged 17.0 points on 37.5% shooting, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks. Edwards, meanwhile, put up 19.1 points on 40.2% shooting, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game for the Bulldogs in his lone NCAA season.
While Ball is no doubt worthy of the first overall pick, the report raised into question his fit with Minnesota’s other players, such as center Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, who was acquired by the team in February. There would be major questions about the team’s overall defense with these three players and whether they could be successful in a tough Western Conference.