NBA Draft 2020: Top 3 options for Minnesota Timberwolves with No. 1 pick
By Trevor Marks
1. Trade the pick
From the second that the Timberwolves saw their card pulled out of the envelope, signifying that they were the lottery’s big winners, it was evident that while the No. 1 overall pick was a gift from the basketball gods than any franchise would cherish, there wasn’t a player at the tip-top of the 2020 draft class that stood as an ideal complement next to Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, especially with this core gunning for the playoffs.
Rookies historically don’t contribute much toward winning basketball, especially not for playoff hopefuls, and especially not when the two prospects in question just turned 19 in August. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor recently reported that executives around the league believe that the Timberwolves “prefer to trade down or out of this pick to bring in a win-now player,” which makes sense.
Minnesota can build a package around the No. 1 pick and James Johnson’s $16.1 million contract (assuming he exercises his player option, as he should), which allows for plenty of flexibility in terms of taking on larger contracts. However, finding a trade partner is a different story.
The Knicks have long been attached to rumors and speculation surrounding any and every point guard, but an offer would likely revolve around unproven prospects and draft capital. The same goes for Atlanta at 6 and Detroit at 7.
The Bulls signed a pair of veterans (Tomas Satoransky and Thad Young) last offseason and could be tempted to move up for a bona fide primary initiator, but Artūras Karnišovas may just be content staying put at 4. Minnesota reportedly had interest in a trade for Orlando’s Aaron Gordon in the past, but would a package built around him and the 15th pick be enough? Buddy Hield is unhappy in Sacramento, but a Russell-Hield duo would hemorrhage points.
There are some prospects who could pose as better fits if the Timberwolves were to move back in the lottery — Deni Avdija for his complementary offense and interior weakside defense, Devin Vassell for his perimeter shooting and elite team defense, and Isaac Okoro for his powerful slashing and on-ball defense — but again, finding that trade partner isn’t easy.
Next. Updated first-round mock draft with a month to go. dark
With no clear trade partner or configuration insight, Nov. 18 figures to be a night full of surprises and unforeseen movement. Though the Timberwolves could simply select their preference of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, it would behoove them to explore their options and move the pick if a worthwhile deal presents itself.