Ian Thomsen/SI.com has the Wolves taking Brook Lopez in his mock draft no. 1:
Going with a true center enables them to shift Al Jefferson to his natural position of power forward and saves him from being worn
down against bigger players. The Timberwolves may try to trade down to
get Lopez a few picks later, but they’ll risk losing him to Memphis,
which is looking for size up front too.
In his mock draft, Tom Ziller/Fanhouse also has the Wolves taking Lopez:
The Wolves still haven’t had an opportunity to see if Randy Foye can
run the point reliably, so it seems doubtful a replacement would be
picked there. It’s not the right decision — this team needs a damn
point guard — but size also wins on draft day, and the Wolves
absolutely need a center to help Al Jefferson man the post. Lopez isn’t
the right player, and if a sentient human being were manning the
controls the Wolves might trade down to stockpile assets. But again,
size blinds when the funky suits come out, and no one would be
surprised if Minny took Brook.
From Dan Shanoff:
The T’wolves should be taking advantage of Jerryd Bayless or even OJ
Mayo. But with the past two Lotteries yielding Randy Foye and Corey
Brewer (not to mention Rashad McCants the year before that), they
really need size, and that means they have to go with — ugh — Brook
Lopez, who seems to be rated this high simply because he is 7 feet tall.
Mayo. But with the past two Lotteries yielding Randy Foye and Corey
Brewer (not to mention Rashad McCants the year before that), they
really need size, and that means they have to go with — ugh — Brook
Lopez, who seems to be rated this high simply because he is 7 feet tall.
From The Big Lead:
3. Minnesota – Brook Lopez, Stanford. Al Jefferson finally has help. Still another year away from the playoffs because of a young backcourt.
From Dime Magazine:
3. Minnesota Timberwolves — Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Having a legit center allows Al Jefferson to move to his natural PF
spot. Kevin McHale can envision building a young version of himself and
Robert Parrish in Minnesota.
Having a legit center allows Al Jefferson to move to his natural PF
spot. Kevin McHale can envision building a young version of himself and
Robert Parrish in Minnesota.
InsideHoops.com also predicts Lopez at #3.
Ray Glier/NBC Sports has the Wolves picking Eric Gordon:
Any player who can turn a corner like Gordon goes in the Top 5 —
whether he is 6-foot-3 or 6-foot-4. Gordon is relentless with the ball
and he has range with his shot. He will move his feet on defense and
make you some earn points, but his real value is getting to the basket.
He floated along the 3-point line too much late in the season, but that
could have been because of injuries. Minnesota has Randy Foye, but it
can’t pass on this talent.
whether he is 6-foot-3 or 6-foot-4. Gordon is relentless with the ball
and he has range with his shot. He will move his feet on defense and
make you some earn points, but his real value is getting to the basket.
He floated along the 3-point line too much late in the season, but that
could have been because of injuries. Minnesota has Randy Foye, but it
can’t pass on this talent.
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