Wolves

Wolves' history of lottery, draft horrors

The NBA's draft lottery has not been kind to the Timberwolves.

By Kent Youngblood

May 18, 2011 at 1:22AM

The Wolves' Christian Laettner and his cutout (1992) (Brian Wicker — Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A history of horrors

Among those seven less-than-satisfying lottery results, there are a few that, for Wolves fans, have to be the most painful. They include:

1992: The Wolves had the worst record but fell to third in the lottery. Orlando jumped to No. 1 and picked Shaquille O'Neal and Charlotte took Alonzo Mourning at No. 2. That left the Wolves to take Christian Laettner.

1993: The Wolves finished with the second-worst record but finished fifth in the lottery and chose Isaiah Rider.

1994: The Wolves fell from third to fourth and picked Donyell Marshall after Glenn Robinson, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill had been taken.

A history of horrors II

The Wolves have never chosen first or second in the draft. Here is a breakdown of Wolves' lottery positions and drafts:

No. 3: Twice. Christian Laettner (1992); O.J. Mayo (2008, who was traded to Memphis in the Kevin Love deal).

No. 4: Twice. Donyell Marshall (1994); Wes Johnson (2010).

No. 5: Four times. Isaiah Rider (1993); Kevin Garnett (1995); Ray Allen (1996, who was traded to Milwaukee in the Stephon Marbury deal); Ricky Rubio (2009, with a pick acquired in a trade with Washington).

No. 6: Four times. Felton Spencer (1990); Wally Szczerbiak (1999, in a pick obtained in a trade with New Jersey); Brandon Roy (2006, who was traded to Portland in the Randy Foye deal); Jonny Flynn (2009).

No. 7: Twice. Luc Longley (1991); Corey Brewer (2007).

No. 14: Once. Rashad McCants (2005).

2011 draft:

a light year?

Duke point guard Kyrie Irving (far left) and Arizona forward Derrick Williams are the top two players according to most experts, with Irving probably the consensus No. 1. After that there is less agreement, given that players such as Harrison Barnes and Jared Sullinger decided to stay in school. Other top players include Turkish center Enes Kanter, who, depending upon a team's need, could become a top-two pick; Kentucky guard Brandon Knight; Connecticut guard Kemba Walker; and San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard. Bismack Biyombo, who currently plays in Spain, is a raw, long 6-9 player from the Democratic Republic of Congo whose stock has risen lately, and some believe he could be a top-five pick.