Citing a lack of "impact players" available, Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders sounded like a man unlikely to move up in Thursday's NBA draft.
The Wolves hold the No. 9 and No. 26 picks in the draft, which Saunders said is full of good players but not great ones. By impact, Saunders means players who project to be All Stars within a year or two of entering the league. "In order to move up, and dilute the talent pool on your roster, you have to get an impact player," Saunders said.
That would indicate that Saunders – who said he is in touch daily with teams around the league – is not eager to pay the price to move up in the draft.
So, assuming the Wolves stand pat, it appears most likely the team will address its need for a three-point shooter. Both C.J. McCollum and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are both strong-shooting off guards who could be available when the Wolves pick comes up.
Not that Saunders was about to tip his hand. Indeed, Saunders said the only position he wouldn't consider with a first-round pick would be point guard. After that? Anything could happen, he insisted.
The team needs to bolster its three-point shooting, make sure the team has enough big men.
But it appears bolstering perimeter play is a priority.
Saunders pointed to the recently-concluded NBA finals as proof that teams need to be effective from behind the three-point like to be successful. The Wolves, last in the NBA in three-point shooting last season, figure to improve simply by getting healthier; Kevin Love will be back, and Saunders hopes to bring back free agent Chase Budinger.