With the 2016 NBA Draft less than 24 hours away, Minnesota Timberwolves fans are wondering exactly what piece their favorite squad will add with the No. 5 pick.
Minnesota’s young core of Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach Lavine and Ricky Rubio appear to be ready to help lead the Timberwolves from the abyss of 12 straight years without a playoff appearance, but they are still looking to add one last piece.
Who it will be is an open question because it appears there are several directions the Wolves could go. Here is a quick summary of who some NBA experts think the Wolves will end up with.
In their most recent mock draft CBS Sports predicts the Wolves will select Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield.
“Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau accurately believes the Timberwolves are ready to break through and make the NBA Playoffs soon. So drafting someone who can contribute immediately makes sense, and Hield is undeniably ready to play as a rookie. The reigning CBS Sports National Player of the Year is probably the best shooter in this draft, meaning he’d be a great addition to a Minnesota team that ranked 25th in 3-point shooting this season, while finishing 29-53.”
While SB Nation also predicts that Hield will be available when the Wolves pick in the first round, they have Minnesota going a different direction, selecting 7-footer Devan Bender from Croatia.
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale predicts the Wolves will go a little different direction – selecting Providence’s Kris Dunn.
While all four Basketball Insiders believe Minnesota will end up with Kentucky’s Jamal Murray. Wildcats head coach John Calipari said on a national conference call Wednesday that Murray would like to go to Minnesota.
NBA mock draft: Timberwolves taking Jamal Murray at 5 https://t.co/OCJKJsz0si
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) June 23, 2016
One option that looks a little less likely is Minnesota sending the fifth overall pick to Chicago for Jimmy Butler. Chicago traded Derek Rose to New York Wednesday, making a Butler trade seem less likely.
The NBA Draft starts Thursday night at 7.
