I don't know if this one of the more important nights in Timberwolves history. They could fail to pick a productive player and still have a bright future. But it's one of the more optimistic nights in Wolves' history. Other than last year, when Flip Saunders was preparing to take Karl-Anthony Towns, how often have the Wolves gone into a draft confident they would get a good player, and also knowing they have intelligence in the front office and a great core to add to on the roster?

What's most fascinating about tonight is it will be Tom Thibodeau's first public display of front-office decision-making in the NBA. We know what kind of coach he is. We don't know what kind of basketball boss he will be.

He is considered an old-school, conservative coach, even though his best Bulls teams ran effectively. If he follows that stereotype as a basketball boss, he'll probably simply hold onto the fifth pick and take either Buddy Hield or Jamal Murray.

If he's not sold on Ricky Rubio's long-term future, maybe he tries to find a way to take Kris Dunn, who may go in the first three picks. If he wants to win immediately, he may try to trade the pick and a player for Serge Ibaka or Jimmy Butler, although I'd be surprised if there is any way the teams could agree on terms for Butler.

This is the true first test and first chapter for Thibs. Which will make tonight fascinating no matter what he does.

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AP sports guy Jon Krawczynski and I will hold a pre-draft live podcast 5-6 p.m. at The Pint Public House on First Avenue, and then we'll post the podcast as quickly as possible after that before we head to Target Center to cover the draft.

Please stop by.

@Souhanstrib