The NBA Draft is still more than a month away and now that the Timberwolves know they have the 13th pick in June 26th draft they can start planning who to target.
The top three picks in the draft are widely regarded to be Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid, according to 1500 ESPN. After that, there isn’t a clear order on who teams may target.
#TWolves: Lots of options at No. 13 for Minnesota Timberwolves in upcoming draft @PhilErvin http://t.co/NbhkD1Bq6M via @fsnorth
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) May 21, 2014
Here is a look at some of the prospects that may be available when the Wolves pick at 13.
– Adreian Payne: Payne played at Michigan State. At 23, he is one of the oldest prospects among those considered potential first round picks. Experts see him as a prototypical stretch four who can shoot the three. A mock draft from Sports Illustrated has the Wolves selecting him with the 13th pick.
– Nik Stauskas: He earned the reputation as one of the top shooters in college basketball. Stauskas connected on 44 percent of his three-pointers in back-to-back years at Michigan. He averaged 17.5 points per game as a sophomore and was the Big Ten’s 2014 Player of the Year.
– Zach LaVine: He is one of the fast risers following the draft combine. The UCLA guard was somewhat inconsistent during the season, but really impressed scouts at the combine. According to the Bleacher Report, LaVine is a guy that teams looking for a playmaking guard should target toward the end of the lottery. That’s exactly why they have the Wolves selecting another UCLA product in the first round.
– Dario Saric: He is a 6’10 forward from Croatia. Saric could be the second international prospect to go in the draft. He averaged 12.9 points and 9.7 rebounds in 28 games during league play last season. He won the league and finals MVP honors and experts say he has terrific passing skills.
– Rodney Hood: Had a solid performance at the combine. At 6-foot-8 with a 36-inch vertical Hood is a polished offensive player, on the wing. He was overshadowed by teammate Jabari Parker at Duke, but was a 42 percent three-point shooter.
– Doug McDermott: Some mock drafts have the Creighton standout going much earlier, others have him going a little later. His offense and shooting-ability can’t be ignored. But for a team looking for offense from the wing, he could be a great draft pick.
– James Young: The 18-year-old Kentucky product has some upside, but it could be a few years off. That said he possesses everything team’s want in an NBA wing. Sports Net predicts the Wolves select Young with the 13th pick. They say “he’s a (considerably) better and safer bet than Minny’s first pick from last year, Shabazz Muhammad, providing an instant do-over in that regard.”
