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Minnesota Timberwolves: A look back at NBA Draft history before 2018

By Luke Askew

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - June 26: 2015 NBA Overall #1 draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns and 22nd pick Tyus Jones of the Minnesota Timberwolves are introduced to the media by President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Flip Saunders and General Manager Milt Newton on June 26, 2015 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - June 26: 2015 NBA Overall #1 draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns and 22nd pick Tyus Jones of the Minnesota Timberwolves are introduced to the media by President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Flip Saunders and General Manager Milt Newton on June 26, 2015 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The 2018 NBA Draft is approaching quickly. With that being said, let’s take a look back at some of the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Draft history prior to 2018.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a draft history full of glowing bright spots and regrettable mistakes.

They’ve hit on many draft picks, starting with Kevin Garnett in 1995 (No. 5) all the way up to Karl-Anthony Towns in 2015 (No. 1). When it’s all said and done, those two could potentially be considered as two of the best big men of all time — and the Wolves drafted them both. Not too shabby.

The Timberwolves have also done a good job recently of turning lottery picks into talent. Last year on draft night, the Wolves turned Zach LaVine (No. 13), Kris Dunn (No. 5) and Lauri Markkanen (No. 7) into All-Star swingman, Jimmy Butler. At the time, before people knew about the health of Zach LaVine and the development of Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen, many people considered this trade to be heavily tilted in the Timberwolves’ favor.

Now, besides a few salty Chicago Bulls fans, most people will agree that this was a good trade for both parties. It gave Minnesota the two-way superstar it needed to get into the playoffs, and it gave the Bulls the young talent they needed to embark on their rebuild.

The Wolves have also whiffed on their fair share of draft picks as well, including players like Wesley Johnson in 2010 (No. 4) and Derrick Williams in 2011 (No. 2).

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However, the biggest draft mistake the Timberwolves ever made came in 2009. Actually, it was their two biggest mistakes — in a span of only a couple minutes.

In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Timberwolves had picks No. 5 and No. 6 and they needed a point guard. There were three quality point guards available at this point and the Wolves got their pick at who they wanted. Naturally, they selected Ricky Rubio at No. 5 (you could say this wasn’t terrible given the circumstances) and Jonny Flynn at No. 6 (you could say this was terrible given the circumstances — no offense, Jonny Flynn).

This left a guy by the name of Stephen Curry to be available for the Golden State Warriors to draft at No. 7. Can you imagine what the last decade or so of Wolves basketball would’ve been like had they taken Curry with one of those two picks? Sheesh.

History of picks No. 20 and No. 48

Barring any trades before or during draft night, the Minnesota Timberwolves have two picks in the 2018 NBA Draft: No. 20 and No. 48.

The Wolves have selected at No. 20 twice in their franchise history, taking Gerald Glass in 1990 and Paul Grant in 1997. Glass played in Minnesota for two and a half seasons, while Grant played a grand total of four games for the team. The Timberwolves have only had the 48th pick once, taking Mark Davis in 1995. He played in 57 games for Minnesota.

The 20th overall pick hasn’t necessarily been kind to most NBA teams in the past. Larry Nance (the old guy that played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns in the 80s and 90s, not LeBron James‘ current running mate), and ironically, LeBron’s old running mate, Zydrunas Ilgauskas were taken at pick No. 20. Those are two of the best and most notable picks from that spot.

Other notable names include Tony Snell (2013), Evan Fournier (2012), Jameer Nelson (2004) and Gus Williams (1975).

The last three No. 20 overall picks were Harry Giles (who we have yet to see play), Caris LeVert, and Delon Wright. Say what you will about Caris LeVert, Delon Wright and the potential they both have, but the No. 20 pick has been far from nice to NBA teams.

The exact same thing could be said for pick No. 48, except there’s one major difference: Marc Gasol was drafted there.

It’s extremely rare that you get a player that makes a strong impact at pick No. 48, let alone a player that’s been an All-Star, All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year. The only other notable name drafted at No. 48 is Cedric Ceballos in 1990.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition

The Wolves definitely shouldn’t get their hopes up, but knowing it’s possible always makes draft night more fun.

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