It’s easy to see that through the 2015 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves are a lot better.
After a tough 16-66 record last season, worst in the NBA, the Timberwolves grabbed a bit of luck and won the Draft Lottery, securing the first pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
With the No. 1 overall pick, the Timberwolves selected Kentucky big-man Karl Anthony Towns.
“When he [Towns] came in here, it was a wrap,” said Saunders. “There were no questions about what we were going to do. People asked me, ‘Are you really nervous about the draft?’ and I said no, because no one can take the guy I want.”
According to Saunders, Towns was most impressive at his workout, having one of the best Saunders had seen in a long time.
“I’ll say this: Outside of maybe, and I’d hate to put the comparisons, but Kevin Garnett in ’95, he probably had the most impressive individual workout that we had.”
Towns, who averaged 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in his only season at Kentucky, will now have the aforementioned Garnett to learn from and grow beneath, and, according to Saunders, Garnett is already a fan of Towns.
“[Garnett] just loved his overall presence,” said Saunders. “[Towns] has a presence… I believe KG looks and sees Karl, and his ability to be as versatile as he could be in a lot of areas.”
Saunders agrees with Garnett admitting that Towns has a presence in a lot of areas including how he plays and how he communicates and such a presence is very valuable.
As for Towns, he couldn’t be more thrilled to have landed in Minnesota.
“My emotions are very high, I’m just so happy right now to be in this position and I can’t believe that something like this would happen to a player like me and a person like me and a kid like me.”
Joining a team that is already stocked with talented youth in reigning slam dunk champion Zach LaVine and Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, Towns says the team reminds him a lot of Kentucky.
“We have an abundance of talent,” said Towns. “As soon as we come together and get on the same page, we could be a force to be reckoned with.”
The Timberwolves, after drafting Towns, weren’t finished in the first round just yet.
The Timberwolves packaged their two second-round picks (No. 31 and No. 36 overall) and sent them to Cleveland for Duke guard and Apple Valley native Tyus Jones.
Jones, who led Duke to a National Championship last season, averaged 11.8 points and 5.6 assists in his only season at Duke. Now, Jones is happy that he gets the chance to play for his hometown team.
“I was just super excited and extremely blessed and honored,” said Jones when asked of his emotions upon hearing about the trade to Minnesota. “I always wanted to play for the Timberwolves and be a Timberwolf. Growing up in Minnesota, it’s truly what you dream of as a kid, going to games and watching on TV. So to be able to call myself one and knowing I’m going to put a Timberwolves jersey on is just truly a blessing.”
Saunders has been watching him grow and develop since high school. After watching the way he led Duke to a title, especially in clutch moments in close games, Saunders said going and getting Jones was something he really wanted to do.
“He was a player that I’ve known for a long time, I know what he can do, I know what he can’t do and I thought that he would be a guy that would fit in to what we’re trying to do in a lot of aspects. I love his passing, I love his leadership and I don’t look at the things he can’t do, I look at the things he can do.”
After watching Jones during his time at Duke, there doesn’t seem to be a lot that he can’t do, evidenced by his 23 point, five rebound performance in the National Championship game against Wisconsin.
Even at such a young age, Jones is already a proven leader, an intangible that really drew Saunders and Timberwolves General Manger Milt Newton to trade for him.
“I asked Jahlil [Okafor, Jones’ teammate at Duke], ‘Why did you go to Duke?’ and he looked at me and he said, ‘Because that’s where Tyus wanted to go, that’s his favorite school,’” said Saunders. “That showed me, in the back of my mind, here’s a kid that does have great leadership ability that great players will follow him, and that’s what you look for in a point guard. No matter that, that great player says, ‘Hey, I’m going to follow him.’”
Jones is already a favorite amongst Minnesota fans, many of which have already taken to social media to congratulate Jones and welcome him to Minnesota.
With the additions of Towns and Jones, Saunders says that the future in Minnesota is extremely bright.
“We’ve got all the pieces,” said Saunders. “I’ll say this: There are a lot of teams out there, even though it’s hard to say when we only won 16 games, but there are a lot of teams that probably wish that they were us today and I really believe that. I couldn’t be happier right now with the direction that we’re going in all aspects of our organization. Business, basketball, fans and we may even get the media in this, that’s our next goal.”