The 2014-15 season was not one to remember for the Minnesota Timberwolves, other than the fact that Kevin Garnett returned due to a mid-season trade. Wins came few and far for the Timberwolves, as they finished the season with a record of 16-66. On the offensive side of the ball, Minnesota had problems putting up points, only averaging 97.8 points per game, 20.0 of which were at the hands of SG Kevin Martin. On the defensive end, the Wolves could not stop teams from scoring, ranking dead last in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 106.5 points per contest; however, the phenomenal play of Gorgui Dieng gives the T-Wolves some defensive hope for the future.
On the night of the draft lottery, the Timberwolves entered with the best odds of taking home the top pick, with a 25.0% chance of doing as such. Minnesota did win the lottery, making them the first team since the 2004 Orlando Magic to win the lottery while having the best odds to do so. Now, if they keep their pick, Minnesota will have had the last three number one picks on their roster -- 2013’s Anthony Bennett, 2014’s Andrew Wiggins, and whoever they draft this year -- which has never happened in NBA history. Now, let’s look at the current Timberwolves and their preview for the NBA Draft.
Current Lineup
PG: Ricky Rubio
SG: Kevin Martin
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nikola Pekovic
Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 1
Round 2, Pick 1
Round 2, Pick 6 (From Kings via Rockets)
Team Needs
Big Man (C/PF): Nikola Pekovic has not lived up to the potential he was said to have, and KG is aging and in the decline. While Dieng is up and coming, there is still the need for another big man on the Timberowlves roster for years to come.
Two Guard: In a similar situation to the big man need, Kevin Martin will not be able to keep producing at his current level for the next few years. Minnesota needs to address this need in this year's draft if they want an all-around team that can score the ball and be a defensive threat.
Possible Picks
Karl-Anthony Towns: Kevin Garnett will not be on the Timberwolves, or even in the NBA, for much longer, so Minnesota will need a big impact player. Garnett and Pekovic are both defensive presences, but Towns is able to stretch the floor well and can use the ball on offense and defense, averaging 10.3 points per game for Kentucky last season, along with 6.7 boards and 2.3 blocks. With Zach LaVine on the rise and Andrew Wiggins coming off of a rookie of the year season, adding Towns will create a Timberwolves team that might be a threat in the years to come.
Timothe Luwawu: Kevin Martin is aging, and will soon need a new scorer to take over for the former Western Carolina star. Luwawu put up 18 points last season in France, all while playing under 30 minutes a game. This also shows that while Martin is still starting, Luwawu can produce off of the bench and then step it up when is ready to possibly take over the starting role.
Rakeem Christmas: During his time at Syracuse, Christmas was versatile while playing the four. He put up 17.5 points per game in his senior year, along with being tough on defense, grabbing nine rebounds per game, and a PER of 26.8 (average being 15.0).
Well, there we have it for the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Draft preview. With the first overall pick, the Wolves have a chance to improve their roster for years to come. More draft preview articles will be out in the coming days and weeks and we near the NBA Draft.