Minnesota Timberwolves Draft Day Transaction Results

June 24, 2010, New York City, Draft Night. The Minnesota Timberwolves were looking to add new talent to their roster to improve on the 15-67 record they finished with in the 2009-10 season. The Wolves owned 5 draft picks in the 2010 draft which was the most in the league (this was the second year in a row that they had the most picks in the NBA draft, they had 6 picks in '09). 3 of the 5 picks in this years draft were 1st round choices (this is the second year in a row that they had 3 1st round picks).

With the 16th overall pick the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted WAC player of the year Luke Babbitt out of Nevada. He is a 6'9" forward who averaged 21.9 ppg in the 2009-10 season. Babbitt and forward Ryan Gomes were traded to the Portland Trailblazers for Martell Webster. Gomes averages 11.5 ppg and 5.1 rpg for his 5 year career. Gomes was drafted in the same draft as Webster, Gomes was drafted 50th overall by Boston and Webster was drafted 6th overall by Portland. Webster had to fight for playing time while in Portland, he was sent to the NBA D-League during his rookie year, and he missed all but 5 minutes of the 2008-09 season with a foot injury. Webster played in all 82 games in the 2009-10 season and averaged 9.4 ppg and was a 40% shooter from the field and a 37% shooter from 3 point range. He is only 23 years old with 5 years of NBA experience. Martell Webster has had some glaring inconsistencies in his 5 year NBA career, but it looks like the Minnesota Timberwolves are banking on Webster finally reaching his potential as an efficient NBA scorer.

With the 23rd overall pick the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted All ACC 1st team selection Trevor Booker out of Clemson. Booker is a 6'8" power forward who averaged 15.2 ppg and 8.4 rpg in the 2009-10 season. The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Trevor Booker and the 56th overall pick to the Washington Wizards for the 30th and 35th overall picks. With the 30th pick the Timberwolves received Lazar Hayward out of Marquette. Hayward is a 6'6" 225lbs forward. He averaged 18.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.9 spg, and shoots 35% from the 3 point line. Hayward spent 4 years at Marquette and is one of the very few seniors taken in this years draft. He is a great rebounder and defender for his size but he may have some trouble matching up with NBA size small forwards. He also may not have the quickness to guard smaller but quicker NBA guards. Hayward also needs to work on controlling the basketball. He had more turnovers then assists in each of his four years at Marquette. With the 35th pick the Timberwolves acquired Nemanja Bjelica a 6'10" 223lbs 22 year old from Serbia. Bjelica would have no choice but to play small forward in the NBA. He has the height of a power forward but is not strong enough or physical enough to guard NBA power forwards. He has great size for a small forward but he lacks the lateral quickness to guard highly athletic NBA small forwards. He is a good shooter and an efficient passer in the half court game. He is at his best when he creates his own shot off the dribble. He is a good ball handler and has a high release point on his jumper making him able to create points for himself. He can also shoot the 3 point shot well. He does not finish well around the rim and does not shoot at a high percentage with contact. Bjelica is a streaky player but sometimes he tends to overpass on plays. He is a good rebounder but might end up getting bullied by physical NBA big men. Nemanja Bjelica has a natural feel for the game but he is not NBA ready and the Timberwolves are not certain when he will come over to the NBA.

With the 45th overall pick the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Paulao Prestes a 6'10" 265lbs Brazilian big man. Prestes played his first season with the Spanish ACB league. This just happens to be the same league that 2009 first draft pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves Ricky Rubio plays in. Prestes uses his big body well around the rim. He is a raw player with an underdeveloped skill set. He does possess the ability to score in the post with his back to the basket. Prestes is an efficient offensive rebounder. He uses his body and long wingspan to create position and snag the ball out of the air. He can score at a high percentage when he gets himself deep into the post, and for his size he is not a bad free throw shooter, but that's about it for him when it comes to scoring ability. Prestes sets good screens on offense but he does not guard the pick and roll well on defense often leaving shooters open. This will be easily exploited by almost every NBA offense. Prestes is not easily moved in the defensive post but quicker big men can go around him at will. Paulao Prestes does show NBA potential and can develop into a good roll player that could have a long NBA career. It is unclear however, just like fellow ACB league player Ricky Rubio, when Paulao Prestes will come to the NBA and if either of them will play for the Minnesota Timberwolves.