There have already been quite a few Minnesota Timberwolves 2011 NBA mock drafts posted in this Storystream, but one that most haven't happened upon yet is probably Tom Ziller's creation over at the SB Nation mothership.
In Ziller's post-Lottery mock draft, the basketball savant projects David Kahn and the Wolves to select Arizona Wildcatsforward Derrick Williams with the second overall pick (as has been the case by everyone else). He then throws a bit of a curveball, however, with Minnesota selecting Texas Longhorns wingman Jordan Hamilton with their second pick (20th overall) in the first round of the NBA Draft.
The Williams' selection isn't too tricky to reason, though Ziller does allude to the fact that the Wolves might be better off with the second pick (as written about here Tuesday night) rather than winning the Lottery.
The Wolves would have been in a nearly impossible position with the No. 1 pick, given the team's continued lust for Ricky Rubio. There's a small issue here, too: Michael Beasley is the incumbent small forward, and All-Star power forward Kevin Love isn't going anywhere. Williams could serve as the third forward, or Minnesota could offload Beasley. Or David Kahn could take a point guard, like Kemba Walker.
As far as the selection of Hamilton is concerned, the 6-foot-7 shooter makes quite a bit of sense for Minnesota's offense even if his shot selection currently does not.
This selection is made with a big ol' wink to my friend David Kahn. You think the draft lottery being fixed is a problem? Wait until Hamilton is shooting from midcourt five times a game.
This wouldn't be a disappointing way for everything to go down when the NBA draft date of June 23 rolls around as the Wolves desperately need shooting and can't pass up drafting a talent like Williams with the No. 2 pick.
In Ziller's post-Lottery mock draft, the basketball savant projects David Kahn and the Wolves to select Arizona Wildcatsforward Derrick Williams with the second overall pick (as has been the case by everyone else). He then throws a bit of a curveball, however, with Minnesota selecting Texas Longhorns wingman Jordan Hamilton with their second pick (20th overall) in the first round of the NBA Draft.
The Williams' selection isn't too tricky to reason, though Ziller does allude to the fact that the Wolves might be better off with the second pick (as written about here Tuesday night) rather than winning the Lottery.
The Wolves would have been in a nearly impossible position with the No. 1 pick, given the team's continued lust for Ricky Rubio. There's a small issue here, too: Michael Beasley is the incumbent small forward, and All-Star power forward Kevin Love isn't going anywhere. Williams could serve as the third forward, or Minnesota could offload Beasley. Or David Kahn could take a point guard, like Kemba Walker.
This selection is made with a big ol' wink to my friend David Kahn. You think the draft lottery being fixed is a problem? Wait until Hamilton is shooting from midcourt five times a game.
This wouldn't be a disappointing way for everything to go down when the NBA draft date of June 23 rolls around as the Wolves desperately need shooting and can't pass up drafting a talent like Williams with the No. 2 pick.
