[Bryan88]

DraftExpress: NBA Team Needs: Northwest Division

Minnesota Timberwolves (22-60 in 2007-0

Draft Picks: No. 3, No. 31, No. 34

Depth Chart:

PG: Randy Foye / Sebastian Telfair*
SG: Marko Jaric / Rashad McCants
SF: Kirk Snyder* / Corey Brewer / Greg Buckner
PF: Ryan Gomes* / Craig Smith* / Mark Madsen / Antoine Walker
C: Al Jefferson / Michael Doleac* / Chris Richard

*Potential free agent

Could use help at: Center, Forward, Depth

Bottom line: Minnesota has one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, but they are still in the process of adding prospects for the long-run. Though the team already has some nice assets in Al Jefferson, Rashad McCants, and Randy Foye, they still need another major contributor. Considering the franchise’s missteps in the trading market and in the draft over the past few seasons, this is not a decision they can afford to miss on. With the third overall selection, the franchise will have the opportunity to add yet another cornerstone next to Jefferson before tabbing anyone that falls out of the first-round with their other selections. The Timberwolves’s rebuilding effort is in full swing, and this draft affords them the opportunity to accelerate that effort considerably.

Draft outlook: Almost every draft service around currently has tabbed O.J. Mayo as the third overall pick in their mock draft, and they’ve reached that consensus for good reason. Mayo has everything you look for in a modern day guard, and while he isn’t an incredible athlete, Minnesota could definitely use another playmaker with some star quality. Despite all that, Kevin McHale has been known to think outside the box (for better or worse), and Mayo should not be viewed as a lock until he hears his name called on draft day. Kevin Love might actually garner some attention too, as he’s rumored to indeed be the apple of McHale’s eye. Minnesota might feel like it’s a bit of a reach to take Love here, and there is already some talk about them moving down two or three slots to let someone jump ahead of them and acquire Mayo while they draft Love and pickup another asset in exchange. It wasn’t too long ago that Brook Lopez was considered the consensus pick here, as it does make sense to acquire a starting caliber center that will allow the team to move Al Jefferson to the power forward position.

In the second-round, armed with two very early selections, Minnesota will likely target the top big man that falls to this range, and may opt for a European player in addition to stash overseas. It’s rumored that they may package these picks in an attempt to move up to the end of the first round. Ryan Anderson is someone that makes sense, offering great size and shooting touch at the power forward spot and a stark contrast to the players currently filling that spot in Minnesota. Richard Hendrix is another player who could garner consideration, as would D.J. White (McHale loves his Big 10 players), Jason Thompson, Omer Asik and Ante Tomic.