GRIII to Timberwolves

Submitted by LKLIII on

It isn't the first round, but he'll get his opportunities.  Wolves traded with Brooklyn to get into the draft and pick him.  Originally Brooklyn didn't have any selections, so they must see the big up side potential for GRIII.

EDIT: Another poster correctly pointed out that Minnesota's pick at 40 already existed and they did not trade up for this. My mistake. The ESPN Radio broadcast was talking about Minnesota's pick at 44, which was apparently done on behalf of Brookkyn (who did NOT have a pick in the draft at the start of the night). Apologies for the confusion.

 

 

 

ilah17

June 26th, 2014 at 11:24 PM ^

I want to know this too. Also, can someone who knows more about basketball than I do explain if not being able to play the 3 last season made him fall this far?

Also, I love Coach B. as soon as he saw the camera he said Go Blue Go Blue! All 5 starters from Final Four drafted, 4/5 first round. Kudos to our coaching staff for finding talent and developing it!

bronxblue

June 26th, 2014 at 11:21 PM ^

Just as I was typing I expected him to be drafted.

With Love gone, should open up some room for playing time in the Minny frontcourt.  If it's true they are going to get Klay and not much else, I expect Robinson to get a serious for minutes.

johnthesavage

June 26th, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^

Hate to say it, but I think GRIII's slide is going to hurt us in recruiting. The negative recruiting line is that, if you're an NBA-talented SF, playing for Beilein can result in you playing out of position, looking bad, and losing money.

Regardless, I think he's a pretty amazing talent to get so late in the draft, and he should make that team. Good luck to him and I do think he'll do well.

bronxblue

June 26th, 2014 at 11:25 PM ^

I kinda doubt it.  Beyond the ample evidence that Beilein continues to recruit VERY well, recruits aren't going to immediately presume that GRIII getting drafted where he was is due to some flaw with Beilein.

I think GRIII is a good player, but his relative drop has much more to do with his decent-if-unspectacular shooting numbers, his tweener size, and somewhat inconsistent season overall.  Kids are going to see 5 guys draft in the past 2 years, including 4 1st-rounders, and certainly give UM a look.

UMfan21

June 26th, 2014 at 11:37 PM ^

You guys said it already. But also consider where GRIII was ranked as a recruit when Beilein saw something in him. He turned GRIII into a Top 40 NBA pick and millionaire in 2 years. I think it's a success story in developing talent.

coldnjl

June 27th, 2014 at 7:20 AM ^

Our National championship team only had 4 first rounders and a second (potentially one more draftee next season?). Why would any top recruit choose us with that horrible second round wart on the face of the program? S/

LSAClassOf2000

June 27th, 2014 at 6:23 AM ^

One of the great transformations we've seen under Beilein is the development of a system where there is a certain degree of plug-and-play with some guys, allowing them to fill any one of a couple roles well enough depending on who drafts them - I think GRIII has that sort of potential even if there are things he might need this summer to work on. 

That being said, having three players go in this draft, two last year and four from a national championship runner-up team most definitely does NOT hurt recruiting, as other have said. 

alum96

June 27th, 2014 at 12:37 AM ^

I think he could have done a THJ so to jr jump if he came back 1 more year, but he clearly disliked playing the 4 and sacrificed for the team 2 years in a row playing out of position.  He probably would have looked better as a 3 for those 2 years, certainly on defense he would have.

And knowing that these guys knew McGary's career was in jeopardy and that Horford had left he really knew his time at 3 would be negligible - plus McGary sounded like his best friend.  That said if it wasnt for the MJ I am curious how it would have turned out because it sounds like McGary would have came back.  But it worked out for him too in the end.  Just a bit of a bummer for us.

TheLastHarbaugh

June 26th, 2014 at 11:25 PM ^

It'll be interesting because the TWolves selected Zach Levine with the 13th pick and he'll likely play the same position as Glenn. Plus they already have Corey Brewer, Chase Budinger, Kevin Martin, and Shabazz Muhammad all as 2s or 3s.

It'll be tough for GRIII to make the team, IMO.

MGoChippewa

June 27th, 2014 at 8:41 AM ^

are pretty much just SGs, I'm not sure there will be much competition for minutes with them. As far as Brewer and Budinger, Brewer has never been an above average player and Budinger is always hurt. If GR3 can show some development, I think not only will he make the team, he'll get some minutes.  Hinges on staying aggressive and fine-tuning his perimeter skills, which is a big question mark, but the opportunity will be there.