Minnesota Timberwolves post-lottery 2020 NBA mock draft roundup

No, you didn’t dream it. The Minnesota Timberwolves not only did in fact move up in the NBA draft lottery Thursday night (for the first time in franchise history), but also got the No. 1 overall pick.

With the pick of the litter, who will the Wolves choose with the top selection come time for the NBA draft (being held Oct. 16 in this wild, weird and wacky 2020)?

There’s generally speaking three players considered potential No. 1 picks — point guard LaMelo Ball, who has played in Australia’s NBL the past two years (and turns 19 on Saturday), shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who played one year at Georgia, and center James Wiseman, who played one season at Memphis.

Will Minnesota select one of these three youngsters? Or is there someone else out there who could be taken with the top pick? For what it’s worth, BetOnline.com released its odds for the No. 1 pick and have Edwards 4/5, Ball and Wiseman 2/1, Deni Avdija 12/1, Obi Toppin 15/1 and Killian Hayes 25/1. (Note: Minnesota also owns Brooklyn’s first-round pick, which is projected to be No. 17.)

Here’s what the mock drafters are saying following Thursday’s lottery:

Stadium’s Jeff Goodman: LaMelo Ball. “You can’t teach his court vision and passing ability, but there are concerns about the youngest Ball brother — ranging from the mechanics, inefficiency and selection with his perimeter shot (he shot 25 percent from 3 this past season) to his lack of interest on the defensive end. But Ball does have high, high upside and is a risk worth taking for Gersson Rosas because he’s a point guard with length who can score and also make his teammates better. He could co-exist well with D’Angelo Russell and give the T-Wolves an exciting backcourt.” Note: Mocked lottery picks only.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports: LaMelo Ball. “Are you ready for a D’Angelo Russell/LaMelo Ball backcourt? What it would lack on the defensive end it would (in theory) make up for on the offensive end because Minnesota would have two big guards who can both really create scoring opportunities and pass. And though I can acknowledge it’s not a perfect fit, it’s likely the best option for a franchise that’s still trying to figure out how to be relevant in the Western Conference with an All-NBA talent like Karl-Anthony Towns in the middle. Towns has been in Minnesota five seasons and only played in five playoff games. That’s awful. So perhaps Ball can be the key to changing that because, even though his shot-selection leaves a lot to be desired, the 6-6 guard can already see things offensively, and do things offensively, that 99.9% of prospects his age cannot do. And that’s why it’s reasonable to conclude the good far outweighs any bad — and predict that LaVar’s youngest son has the talent to develop into an All-Star many times over.”; No. 17: Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington.

Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo: Anthony Edwards. “It’s difficult to see LaMelo Ball fitting well next to Russell or helping to improve a porous defense; Edwards has the ability to do both in time. It’s probably fair to say at this point that Edwards is generally seen as the straightforward option at No. 1. Bet big on talent, put him in a position to succeed, and trust your coaching staff to iron out the kinks—chiefly, shot selection and defensive engagement. His flashes of offensive dominance, though fewer and farther between than you’d like, can be tantalizing, and if he hits his ceiling as a two-way perimeter threat who defends wings and can play on and off the ball, Edwards has All-Star potential. But there are valid concerns about his ability to directly impact winning, and it may be a few years before we know the answer, making this a more complicated choice. Teams will have to make a judgment whether his struggles stem more from poor basketball IQ, or the simple fact he lacks high-level hoops experience relative to the field. But Minnesota is a fairly cushy landing spot for him, and the fact he wouldn’t be tasked with being the guy right away should be beneficial in the long run.”

SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell: Anthony Edwards. “At his best, Anthony Edwards looks like he has the total package to one day be day a primary scoring option. The Georgia freshman has elite quick-twitch athleticism, crazy explosiveness near the basket, and impressive shot-making ability off the dribble when he’s hot. The problem with Edwards is that he too often settles for his jumper rather than consistently putting pressure on the rim. He also needs to improve reading defenses and knowing where the rotation comes from so he can consistently find the open man as a passer. Despite his fantastic physical tools, Edwards also leaves a lot to be desired defensively. No one is questioning Edwards’ talent level. It’s just hard to put him at No. 1 when he shot under 40 percent from the field and under 30 percent from three. It feels like Edwards would be wise to focus on defense early in his career and let his natural ability takeover on offense.” No. 17: R.J. Hampton, G, NZ Breakers (NBL).

Kyle Boone of CBSSports.com: Anthony Edwards. “Fit may be the most important consideration for Minnesota at No. 1, and with D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns in place, Anthony Edwards gives the Timberwolves the most obvious plug-and-play prospect that fits the team’s timeline for winning now. He’s a 6-foot-5 wing who can create his own shot, has endless athleticism, and holds real potential to be a plus-defender when he’s locked in. ‘There’s a lot of things he’s going to have to figure out at the next level to be successful,’ one scout told me recently. ‘But he’s an exceptional talent.’”; No. 17: Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State.

Tommy Beer of Forbes: Anthony Edwards. “Edwards was the highest-scoring freshman in the country, averaging 19.5 points per game, and also led Georgia in made 3-pointers (2.3) and steals (1.4). While he wasn’t nearly as efficient as many scouts would have liked (converting less than 41% of his FG attempts and 30% of his 3-point attempts), he frequently flashed the type of tantalizing upside that few prospects possess. The Wolves will weigh all their options, but a trio of Karl-Anthony Towns (24 years old), D’Angelo Russell (23), and Edwards (19) is a solid foundation on which to build a franchise.” No. 17: Saddiuq Bey, SG, Villanova.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman: Anthony Edwards. “Between Anthony Edwards’ age (19), physical profile, explosiveness, advanced shot-creation and three-level shot-making, he possesses the draft’s most favorable mix of talent, upside and skill. And teams can’t seem to have enough creators and wings. The Minnesota Timberwolves could see Edwards as both the draft’s best player and a strong fit next to D’Angelo Russell. The Wolves could now have one of the league’s most potent backcourts and, including Karl-Anthony Towns, three star-caliber scorers.”; No. 17: Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky.

USA Today’s Scott Gleeson: Anthony Edwards. “Edwards is an explosive scorer with immediate All-Star ability and two-way upside, making him the front-runner to hear his name called first. He’d be an ideal fit in Minnesota to play alongside All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. In a game against Michigan State, he put up 33 points in one half. Edwards’ stat line — 19.1 points per game, 5.2 rebounds — doesn’t do him justice.”; No. 17: Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky.

NBA Draft Room: Anthony Edwards. “The Timberwolves win the draft lottery and will have their pick of the top talent in this draft. They could go a few different directions here but adding a go-to scorer like Anthony Edwards would be hard to pass. Things could finally be turning around in Minnesota.”; No. 17: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina.

Brad Rowland of UPROXX: Anthony Edwards: “This is the consensus choice in the hours after the lottery and, honestly, it is easy to see why. The Wolves already have key pieces at point guard (D’Angelo Russell) and center (Karl-Anthony Towns), with Edwards as a consensus top-three pick to slide into the shooting guard spot long-term. It shouldn’t surprise anyone, though, if Edwards isn’t the choice when the draft arrives, as Gersson Rosas is a Daryl Morey disciple that won’t be shy about taking another player (i.e. LaMelo Ball) if his board doesn’t reflect Edwards as the top player. As for last year’s first round pick, while Jarrett Culver plays on the wing, he could theoretically play the 3 alongside Edwards.”; No. 17: Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland.

For The Win’s Charles Curtis and Mike Sykes: James Wiseman. “Anthony Edwards is a popular pick for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but James Wiseman should be the pick here. He covers up so many of their flaws defensively. He’d be the ultimate rim protector and would fit in well next to Karl-Anthony Towns. In an NBA where size is slowly, but surely, coming back, they’d be one of the most formidable front courts out there.” Note: Mocked lottery picks only.

Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek: Anthony Edwards. “Edwards showed glimpses of playing like Donovan Mitchell and Dwyane Wade in his one year at Georgia. Edwards is dangerous in the open court with great passing mechanics and had the best performance of this past college basketball season, scoring 33 points and hitting seven threes in one half against Michigan State in November. D’Angelo Russell and Edwards will make up a young, athletic backcourt, and with Karl Anthony-Towns in the post, this could be turnaround time for the Timberwolves.”; No. 17: Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington.

Zach Braziller of the New York Post: Anthony Edwards. “A trio of D’Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns and Edwards could be a prolific offensive group. Like Russell and Towns, the 6-foot-5 Edwards is wired to score, as his 19.1 points per game as a freshman would suggest. They can all learn how to defend better together.” Note: Mocked lottery picks only.

Sam Smith of bulls.com: Anthony Edwards. “They’ve got center Karl-Anthony Towns and traded for his buddy, point guard D’Angelo Russell. Edwards is the big, athletic shooting guard for that Big Three. Though he’s somewhat erratic and reminds me a bit of Isaiah Rider. Bad memories in Minnesota with JR. He’s considered by many the top talent in this draft.” Note: Mocked lottery picks only.

Jordan Greer of the Sporting News: Anthony Edwards. “Edwards didn’t amaze scouts like a typical No. 1 pick while playing for the Bulldogs, but he may have the most potential of any player in this draft. He is an explosive offensive force who can get downhill in a hurry. His effort at Georgia was inconsistent — and that might be putting it kindly — and he only shot 40.2 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from 3-point range. There are definitely concerns here, but Edwards could eventually become an All-Star. Plus, he’d fit nicely next to D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns.” Note: Mocked lottery picks only.

MyNBADraft.com: LaMelo Ball. No. 17: Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL.

Drafttek: Anthony Edwards. No. 17: Zeke Nnaji, PF, Arizona.

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic ($): Anthony Edwards: “Edwards remains what I would call the closest thing to a consensus guy in this draft for NBA evaluators. I haven’t talked to a team that doesn’t see him as a top-five prospect, and most consider him a top-three prospect. Many think he clearly has the highest upside in the draft due to his physical tools. Indeed, Edwards is 6-foot-5, 225 pounds and has a lightning-quick first step off the bounce that allows him to blow by defenders with ease.  He transitions speed to powerful explosiveness better than any other prospect in this class, which allows him to be a genuine shot-creator from all three levels. He averaged 19.1 points per game. Largely, he was the player responsible for creating those buckets, too. Personally, I have some concerns about his handle and think he needs to both tighten things up off the bounce, as well as add a bit more craft in terms of change of pace. But for the most part, I do believe that Edwards will be a high-level scorer at the NBA level.”; No. 17: Leandro Bolmaro, F, Barcelona B.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: Anthony Edwards. Note: Mocked lottery picks only.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times: Anthony Edwards. “Edwards is the perceived top player in the draft with an ability to be a high-volume scorer from almost anywhere on the floor. The guard didn’t shoot well from long range, but scouts aren’t concerned with his mechanics.”

Tom Westerholm of masslive.com: Anthony Edwards. “The two top options in this class are pretty evenly matched, even though they are very different players, so Minnesota goes with fit — LaMelo Ball and D’Angelo Russell would be an awkward pairing. Edwards is a powerfully built athlete who can score at all three levels. His focus will be the question mark, but he has the tools to be a star at shooting guard.”

ESPN.com’s Jonathan Givony ($): Anthony Edwards.

NetScouts Basketball: LaMelo Ball. No. 17: Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis.

Tankathon: Anthony Edwards. No. 17: Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Olympiacos B.