Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune reported late Thursday that the Timberwolves appear to be targeting shooting in next week’s NBA Draft, and Creighton’s Doug McDermott, Michigan’s Nick Stauskas and Michigan State’s Adreian Payne are all high on Minnesota’s list.
The Wolves currently hold the No. 13 pick, but they could acquire addition first-round selections if Kevin Love is traded before or during the draft.
Wolves Head Coach/President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders confirmed reports that he was in Chicago on Tuesday to watch McDermott and Stauskas work out.
1500 ESPN reports that Minnesota was impressed by McDermott’s workout and “remain big fans of the 22-year-old prospect.”
McDermott finished his career at Creighton as the fifth all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball history. His accolades are impressive, but as USA Today says, none quite as impressive as becoming the first player since Patrick Ewing and Waymon Tisdale in 1985 to be named a first team All-American three years in a row.
Pro Basketball Talk ranks Stauskas as the No. 2 shooting guard in the draft, behind Michigan State’s Gary Harris.
He has very good size at 6’6, and he has consistent range well beyond the NBA three-point line. Stauskas even showed that he can be a playmaker with the ball in his hands, especially in pick-and-roll situations, where he was able to make some very good reads and attack the basket or find open teammates.
Stauskas admitted some of the pre-draft interviews he’s done have been strange. Justin Bieber strange.
A team asked me if I'd rather win rookie of the year or tour/party with @justinbieber for the whole summer LOOOOOOL! #ThingsToThinkAbout
— Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) June 19, 2014
How about some NBA comparisons? According to NBADraft.net, Stauskas compares favorably to Jason Kapono; McDermott is compared to Wally Szczerbiak; Payne compares to Robert Horry and Drew Gooden.
