The Minnesota Timberwolves will get the opportunity to add a piece to their already forming puzzle during the 2015 NBA Draft.
Ping pong balls haven’t been kind to the Timberwolves over the years. In fact, they have been quite mean and rude.
In the NBA Lottery, the Wolves have never jumped higher than their slotted spot and never drafted No. 1 overall.
That changed on Tuesday night in Brooklyn as the Wolves, represented by owner Glen Taylor, secured the No. 1 pick ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, respectively.
"This is a great day for our franchise and our fans. We're excited about the opportunity to have the top pick in the draft for the first time in franchise history," said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. "The No. 1 pick is a fantastic asset to have as we look to add more talent to our team."
The Wolves were originally slotted to pick first overall with a 25 percent chance, but that still meant there was a 75 percent chance they wouldn’t draft No. 1.
“I figured out one thing,” Saunders joked with reporters after. “We waited 20 years to send Glen to the Lottery. We probably should have sent him much sooner.”
While the 2015 NBA Draft Class is a strong one, having the No. 1 pick enables the Wolves to trust their system and take the best player available on their board. While the Wolves have had their woes in the draft, it’s worth noting that Saunders and General Manager Milt Newton have had two successful drafts, picking up Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng in 2013 and Zach LaVine in 2014.
Players such as Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, Kirstaps Porzingis and others will be linked with the Wolves from now until June 25, when the Wolves will make their selection.
“We thought this was a five or six player draft,” Saunders said. “We thought we were going to be better wherever we went.”
It wasn’t an ideal 2014-15 season for the Wolves. Injuries hit a squad that was aiming for the playoffs. It forced Saunders and his staff to play his young players big minutes and he hoped they could learn on the run. Ultimately, players like Andrew Wiggins and LaVine improved over the season, but that ended in just 16 wins. Those 16 wins, though, did allow the Wolves to get the high percentage in the lottery, even if that wasn’t the goal when the season started.
“When we lost our guys to injuries, we had to make a decision on what direction to go,” Saunders said. “Things fell into place. Our younger guys got better… Fortunately today, we pick a great piece. There are a lot of directions to go.”
Former No.1 picks include Wiggins, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson and Shaquille O’Neal. That’s certainly not bad company to be in.
Whoever the Wolves get at No. 1 will be a player who the front office best thinks fits the Wolves as far as a player and character wise. While the 2014-15 season was a tough one, this looks to be the next step (after acquiring Wiggins) for the Wolves to take to become a threat in the Western Conference.
Saunders said he hasn’t talked to Taylor yet, but did talk to his wife Becky after the lottery. She confirmed Glen’s excitement.
“We talked about this going in,” Saunders said. “We had no pressure. If we get the No. 4 pick, I’m going to like who I get at No. 4.
Well Flip, you don't have No. 4. You have No. 1.
Now the real fun begins.
Minnesota, you’re on the clock.