2013 NBA Draft Results: Minnesota Timberwolves Live Draft Grade

Draft Grade: B

The Timberwolves selected Andre Roberson, small forward from the University of Colorado, with the #26 pick of the 2013 draft. This pick was apparently sold to Golden State for cash, and then flipped to Oklahoma City for some package that probably includes the #29 pick.

I actually really, really like Roberson. The only issue I have is this…why didn’t the Thunder wait and pick him at #29? We don’t know yet what they gave up to move to #26, but still. In fact, why didn’t they wait until #31 and pick him, saving money in the process? They must have deals on the table for those picks well.

Many mock drafts didn’t predict Roberson to be selected at all. The appeal is his otherworldly rebounding rate, especially compared to his size (6′ 7″). He’s a small forward the crashes the boards, and he’ll play hard the whole time. Analytics-inclined folks loved him before the draft, and many teams simply weren’t interested. Surprising that Presti felt the need to select him at #26, and trade up to get the pick, no less.

We’ll wait and see what Golden State got for the pick, but what is Minnesota doing (again)? A shooter like Allen Crabbe would have been a good pick at #26, and it’s curious that they sold it off. I mean…Kurt Rambis has already been bought out, right??