Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders addressed the media today to discuss the Derrick Williams trade.
Williams was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft, and his departure, while not abrupt, was a bit shocking considering how highly Minnesota thought of him just two years ago.
Saunders pointed out one glaringly obvious thing about Williams when explaining why the move was made, and it’s actually rather simple in the end.
Kevin Love is Minnesota’s best player, and plays the power forward position. Derrick Williams came into the NBA as a power forward.
Williams, while dropping weight two offseasons in a row to attempt to make the transition to small forward, could not effectively play the position.
Saunders recognized that, saying making Williams into a small forward was not beneficial for Derrick or the Wolves.
Flip also said noted that while a rift between head coach Rick Adelman and Williams was bandied about on social media and in media circles, Adelman actually likes Williams and believes he will be a good NBA player.
Saunders acknowledged that one of the goals of the organization since the his regime took over was to get more defensive-oriented players, and that with Williams, it was simply time to move on.
Sounds like Williams is just fine with his new destination.
https://twitter.com/kingxsolo/status/405515970992963584
Housekeeping item: GBE stands for get better everyday, and the tweet from Solomon Hill was retweeted by D-Will.
The man Minnesota got in return for Williams, Luc Mbah a Moute, is due in town in the morning for a physical and may play tomorrow night at Target Center against Denver.
