Roundup of 2016 NBA Draft grades for Minnesota Timberwolves
Trade or make a pick?
It was the question surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves as they were up with the No. 5 overall selection in the NBA Draft. In the end, the Wolves selected point guard Kris Dunn of Providence, and despite swirling rumors, didn't make a trade even after making the pick.
According to analysts around the web, Minnesota made a good choice.
The pick of Dunn -- Minnesota's only selection in the 2016 draft -- was lauded by those so-called experts.
Aaron Torres of FOXSports.com: B+. "Nobody loves Kris Dunn more than me, but did the Wolves really need another point guard? Or would they have been better served to bring in shooting either with Jamal Murray or Buddy Hield? To me, the answer is the latter, but at the same time, it's tough to question Tom Thibodeau's track record."
A.J. Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer of USA Today: A+. "There might not be a better fit than Dunn in Minnesota under first-year coach Tom Thibodeau. Dunn is a versatile, powerful combo guard who will mesh perfectly with Andrew Wiggins on the wing. He was a two-time Big East Player of the Year and was also the two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. His effort on defense no doubt caught Thibodeau's eye."
Jeremy Woo of SI.com: B+. "The hard-nosed Dunn seems like a philosophical match for Tom Thibodeau. He's seen as the most NBAâready guard in the draft, competes defensively and can make plays and score on offense. The personnel fit for the Wolves is a tad less clear, with Ricky Rubio in place. Maybe he moves this off-season. Minnesota needed shooting on the wing, and Jamal Murray remains on the board with a little more long-term upside. But Dunn slots in nicely with a talented core that will surely look different come October."
Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com: B. "Dunn is the No. 3 player on my board, so to get him at No. 5 is solid value. However, his fit with Ricky Rubio is precarious due to each player's inability to shoot. It seems likely this will involve the end of Rubio's time in Minnesota, which means that this grade will be incomplete until we know what value they are able to get from him." Overall grade: B.
The Vertical: A. "Terrific physical specimen at point guard with prototypical size, length, quickness and leaping ability. Could have been a lottery pick last season before returning to school. Took over a number of games this season with his creativity as a playmaker off the dribble. Good command in the pick-and-roll, vision in transition and shiftiness attacking one-on-one. Capable of playing terrific defense. Still not overly polished offensively at age 22, particularly as a jump shooter and decision maker."
Andrew Sharp of SI.com: Team grade of B.
Josh Benjamin of Forbes.com: B+. "Dunn provides more consistent and versatile scoring for Minnesota and also great on-ball defense for a team that finished 23rd in points allowed per game. The former Friar is still developing, but is a great leader who could wind up making an immediate impact in Minnesota depending on certain chips falling into place, namely how Minnesota decides to address its crowded backcourt."
Paul Banks of the Washington Times and David Kay of The Sports Bank via WalterFootball.com: A-. "Yes, the Timberwolves have Ricky Rubio, but Tom Thibodeau reportedly loved Kris Dunn and he fell into their lap at No. 5. Thibs can figure out how to use them together, or maybe Minnesota shops Rubio, or even still moves Dunn. A shooter like Jamal Murray or Buddy Hield would have been a better fit, but Dunn's potential is much higher."
James Hawkins of the Detroit News: A-.
Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns
