“With the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select…”
That’s what everyone is trying to figure out, as the T’Wolves seem as if they’re starting to view their lottery pick as a burden rather than a blessing. Whether Minnesota will trade the pick or use it to select one of the projected top three picks is still an unknown but the Timberwolves will still come out on top, as they’ll undoubtedly get better no matter what they do.
Minnesota is embarking on a new era, trading away former first overall pick Andrew Wiggins for D’Angelo Russell. With D-Lo and Karl-Anthony Towns the current franchise cornerstones, the Wolves have a great chance of adding to their core and finding the player that bits best between the pieces they already have with three picks in the upcoming draft.
Related: Full Minnesota Timberwolves 2020 Salary Cap Preview
2020 NBA Draft Picks
| No. 1 overall | No. 17 overall | No. 33 overall |
Timberwolves Draft Needs
For Minnesota to maximize their opportunities this offseason, the 2020 NBA Draft will be crucial.
Russell and KAT are a strong and dynamic offensive pairing but Minnesota is lacking defensively with those two are their best players. Their defensive deficiencies are further enhanced by the absence of Robert Covington (who was sent to the Houston Rockets in a four-team trade that ultimately allowed Minnesota to land Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez).
After trying to locate their third star with the first overall pick, the Timberwolves need to focus on establishing a stronger defensive presence as they rank 28th in opponent’s points per game. The Timberwolves are destined to be a team with big names and no real success unless they can stop somebody.
2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist
| No. 1 overall | No. 17 overall | No. 33 overall |
| SG Anthony Edwards, Georgia | F-C Precious Achiuwa, Memphis | C Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos |
| PG LaMelo Ball, Illawarra | PG Theo Maledon, ASVEL | G Leandro Bolmaro, FC Barcelona |
| SF Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv | SG Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky | SG Desmond Bane, Texas Christian |
| G-F Isaac Okoro, Auburn | SG Josh Green, Arizona | PG Malachi Flynn, San Diego St. |
| F Patrick Williams, Florida St. | F Jaden McDaniels, Washington | PG Immanuel Quickley, Kentucky |
What The Mocks Are Saying
| The Ringer | Anthony Edwards (No. 1), Precious Achiuwa (No. 17) |
| The Athletic | LaMelo Ball (No. 1), Jalen Smith (No. 17), Zeke Nnaji (No. 33) |
| USA TODAY Sports | Anthony Edwards (No. 1), Tyrese Maxey (No. 17) |
| CBS Sports | Anthony Edwards (No. 1), Precious Achiuwa (No. 17) |
| The Score | LaMelo Ball (No. 1), Precious Achiuwa (No. 17) |
Projected Roster
| G | D’Angelo Russell |
| SG | Jarrett Culver |
| SG | Josh Okogie |
| SG | Jaylen Nowell |
| SG | Jacob Evans |
| F | Omari Spellman |
| PF | James Johnson |
| PF | Jarred Vanderbilt |
| PF | Jake Layman |
| C | Karl-Anthony Towns |
| C | Naz Reid |
