Category: Timberwolves

Aggregate NBA mock draft 7.0: Ousmane Dieng moves into lottery, Jalen Williams top 20; trade talks

The NBA Draft is less than a week away, with more potential big trades on the horizon following the Christian Wood acquisition by the Dallas Mavericks, as noted throughout our new HoopsHype aggregate mock draft. To get a better projection of where …

The NBA Draft is less than a week away, with more potential big trades on the horizon following the Christian Wood acquisition by the Dallas Mavericks, as noted throughout our new HoopsHype aggregate mock draft.

To get a better projection of where all of the projected top prospects stand currently, we compiled mock drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, The Ringer, Sports Illustrated, NBADraft.net, CBS Sports, SB Nation, Yahoo, Basketball News, and USA TODAY’s For The Win.

The most notable risers within the projected lottery selections included Dyson Daniels moving up further within the top 10 picks, Ousmane Dieng becoming a projected lottery pick, and Jalen Williams vaulting into the Top 20 range. Jake LaRavia and Dalen Terry, two of the biggest risers throughout the draft process, have moved into the late first round.

Other risers in the second round include Ryan Rollins, Andrew Nembhard, David Roddy, John Butler, Michael Foster, Gabriele Procida, and Dereon Seabron.

The notable name that fell was MarJon Beauchamp, who now is projected outside the top 20 picks despite receiving a green room invite. Josh Minott and Jean Montero were among those whose stock fell in the second round.

NOTE: These rankings reflect the composite score to get a feel for the overall consensus, not our own opinion. For example, if a player was the first pick on a publication’s mock draft, he received 58 points. If a player was second, he received 57 points and so on. We then tabulated the total number of points for each player’s consensus ranking. 

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Aggregate NBA mock draft 6.0: Dyson Daniels moves into top 10; Christian Wood trade rumors

Following the withdrawals of several prospects, the aggregate NBA mock draft has shifted noticeably, and more intel on teams have surfaced with the draft nearing. To get a better projection of where all of the projected top prospects stand …

Following the withdrawals of several prospects, the aggregate NBA mock draft has shifted noticeably, and more intel on teams have surfaced with the draft nearing.

To get a better projection of where all of the projected top prospects stand currently, we compiled mock drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, The Ringer, Sports Illustrated, NBADraft.net, CBS Sports, SB Nation, Yahoo, Basketball News, and USA TODAY’s For The Win.

The most notable risers within the projected lottery selections included Keegan Murray leaping Shaedon Sharpe into the top five range, Dyson Daniels entering the top 10, and Malaki Branham cracking the end of the lottery. Dalen Terry also vaulted 12 spots since our last aggregate mock draft and is currently positioned as an early second-round pick.

Some of the more notable names that fell slightly included TyTy Washington, Max Christie and Leonard Miller.

NOTE: These rankings reflect the composite score to get a feel for the overall consensus, not our own opinion. For example, if a player was the first pick on a publication’s mock draft, he received 58 points. If a player was second, he received 57 points and so on. We then tabulated the total number of points for each player’s consensus ranking.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Timberwolves rumors: Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Tim Connelly

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7nG75tHmawGnkYgiiqHrvq HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Timberwolves beat writer Jon Krawczynski discuss whether Karl-Anthony Towns will get a supermax extension and if D’Angelo Russell will be traded. The duo …

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Timberwolves beat writer Jon Krawczynski discuss whether Karl-Anthony Towns will get a supermax extension and if D’Angelo Russell will be traded. The duo also discussed the latest on the ceiling for Anthony Edwards, the start of the Tim Connelly era, what it means for Malik Beasley’s future and more on the latest edition of the HoopsHype podcast.

For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.

Aggregate NBA mock draft 5.0: Jabari Smith leaps Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero; trade possibilities

Following the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype said they are monitoring the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers as two potential teams that could trade their picks in search of player(s) that can help …

Following the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype said they are monitoring the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers as two potential teams that could trade their picks in search of player(s) that can help immediately. Sacramento has missed the playoffs for a record 16 consecutive seasons. Portland’s franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard turns 32 on July 15, with the clock ticking on his prime years.

Other executives are monitoring Oklahoma City, Charlotte, San Antonio, and Minnesota as potential traders. The Thunder has four picks in the top 34 and can consolidate some of those picks. The Hornets can afford to move one of their first-round picks (13 and 15). The Grizzlies have an established young core ready to take the next step with picks 22 and 29 to dangle as bait. The Spurs (picks 9, 20, 25 and 38) have a surplus of late first-rounders that should be available. The Timberwolves have the No. 19 pick and three picks in the 40-50 range to dangle.

The consensus big three of this year’s draft class remains Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero, with Shaedon Sharpe rising into the top five in the latest aggregate mock draft.

To get a better projection of where all of the projected top prospects stand currently, we compiled mock drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, The Ringer, Sports Illustrated, NBADraft.net, CBS Sports, SB Nation, Yahoo, Basketball News, and USA TODAY’s For The Win.

Sharpe (Kentucky), Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite), Mark Williams (Duke), Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand NBL), Blake Wesley (Notre Dame), EJ Liddell (Ohio State), Nikola Jovic (Mega Basket Serbia), Walker Kessler (Auburn), Leonard Miller (Fort Erie International Academy), Max Christie (Michigan State), Terquavion Smith (NC State), Jalen Williams (Santa Clara), Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest), Caleb Houston (Michigan), Dalen Terry (Arizona) and Ryan Rollins (Toledo) have all risen within the top 45 picks.

Within the top 10 picks, AJ Griffin (Duke), Johnny Davis (Wisconsin) and Jalen Duran (Memphis) all fell slightly. Ochai Agbaji (Kansas) fell slightly outside the lottery. Kendall Brown (Baylor) had the biggest fall of the projected first-round prospects.

NOTE: These rankings reflect the composite score to get a feel for the overall consensus, not our own opinion. For example, if a player was the first pick on a publication’s mock draft, he received 58 points. If a player was second, he received 57 points and so on. We then tabulated the total number of points for each player’s consensus ranking.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Timberwolves offseason preview: KAT supermax, D’Angelo Russell crossroads and more

The Minnesota Timberwolves not only finally got back into the playoffs but also proved to be a dangerous opponent. This roster had 11 players returning from the 2020-21 team, making them one of the franchises with the most continuity for this …

The Minnesota Timberwolves not only finally got back into the playoffs but also proved to be a dangerous opponent. This roster had 11 players returning from the 2020-21 team, making them one of the franchises with the most continuity for this season. The biggest difference was head coach Chris Finch getting more time with the squad and fully integrating his system. Led by an All-NBA caliber season by Karl-Anthony Towns, along with a significant leap from Anthony Edwards, the Wolves are now a team for the present and the future.

Minnesota will have the most cap flexibility it’s had in years this offseason. While they have several core pieces set for the foreseeable future, they still have room for several new additions either in free agency or trade. They will also have several players with upcoming extensions whose futures may be decided this offseason.

Q&A: Former lottery pick Shabazz Muhammad eyes NBA comeback

Former 2012 top high school recruit and NBA lottery pick Shabazz Muhammad is eying an NBA comeback. The 29-year-old swingman has hired agent Keith Kreiter of Edge Sports International and recently signed with San Miguel Beermen in the Philippines. …

Former 2012 top high school recruit and NBA lottery pick Shabazz Muhammad is eying an NBA comeback.

The 29-year-old swingman has hired agent Keith Kreiter of Edge Sports International and recently signed with San Miguel Beermen in the Philippines.

Following a 57-point, 19-rebound performance in a win, Muhammad spoke to HoopsHype over the phone and discussed his NBA career with the Timberwolves and Bucks, his time overseas in China and the Philippines, what he’d do differently, and why he can help an NBA team.

NBA trade intel: James Harden, Ben Simmons, Collin Sexton, Malik Beasley, more

With the NBA trade deadline around the corner, executives are working the phones aggressively, trying to hammer out deals that have been discussed for weeks. Some teams are trying to bolster their rosters for the playoffs, while others are trying to …

With the NBA trade deadline around the corner, executives are working the phones aggressively, trying to hammer out deals that have been discussed for weeks.

Some teams are trying to bolster their rosters for the playoffs, while others are trying to sell off veterans and rebuild for the future.

Below is the latest intel gathered by HoopsHype on some of the top names mentioned on the trade market.

Michael Beasley: ‘The whole world laughed at me. It hurt my feelings’

Former No. 2 overall draft pick Michael Beasley is eying a return to the NBA. Before this season, Beasley played in the NBA’s Vegas Summer League with the Portland Trail Blazers and averaged 11.4 points on 44 percent shooting from the field and 45 …

Former No. 2 overall draft pick Michael Beasley is eying a return to the NBA.

Before this season, Beasley played in the NBA’s Vegas Summer League with the Portland Trail Blazers and averaged 11.4 points on 44 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent from three-point range with 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game.

The 33-year old forward, who hired agent Charles Briscoe of Briscoe Sports Group, has been training in Miami with Ronnie Taylor. Beasley and his representation have been in contact with several teams recently, with the trade deadline nearing and the buyout market beginning shortly afterward.

Following a recent workout, Beasley spoke with HoopsHype about his goal to return to the NBA, his career over the years, dealing with personal losses of family members behind the scenes, and more.

 

NBA execs poll: Luka Doncic top player to build around; Evan Mobley voted ahead of Zion Williamson

In September of 2020, HoopsHype polled 15 NBA talent evaluators and asked them to rank their top five Under 25 players to build around. We have repeated the exercise with 17 NBA executives this time. There was no change at No. 1, but quite a few …

In September of 2020, HoopsHype polled 15 NBA talent evaluators and asked them to rank their top five Under 25 players to build around. We have repeated the exercise with 17 NBA executives this time. There was no change at No. 1, but quite a few after that.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic remains the first choice, though he’s no longer the consensus pick after a somewhat disappointing first half of the season in which he’s still playing himself into shape.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum barely retains No. 2 with half the share of the vote of last season while Ja Morant moves up to No. 3.

LaMelo Ball and Trae Young went from no votes to cracking the top five.

In our scoring system, the top player received 10 points, the second received seven points, the third received five points, the fourth received three points, and the fifth player received one point for each ballot.

The results of the poll are listed below.

The top trade candidate on each NBA team this season

Ben Simmons and Marvin Bagley are the early trade rumors leaders, and there will be plenty more to come this season. The 2022 free agency market could be dry, as colleague Yossi Gozlan previously wrote on HoopsHype, meaning teams could look to …

Ben Simmons and Marvin Bagley are the early trade rumors leaders, and there will be plenty more to come this season.

The 2022 free agency market could be dry, as colleague Yossi Gozlan previously wrote on HoopsHype, meaning teams could look to improve via the trade market.

So with the regular season already underway,  HoopsHype spoke with four NBA executives to gauge potential trade candidates and listed the player(s) most likely to be traded on each team.