Enes Kanter or Derrick Williams: Minnesota Timberwolves face a tough choice – NBA Special Report
As the 2011 NBA Draft draws near, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in an intriguing proposition. Who is the best player for their number two draft pick is the question that is hounding the Wolves nowadays. What makes
their choice even harder is their poor history at the drafts – Ricky Rubio and their persistent hard luck in the lottery.
Enter Enes Kanter and Derrick Williams.
Enes Kanter is eager to show all teams out there that he is still in full form. The Turkish prodigy has been on a country wide trip aiming to showcase his talents to all those franchises who are interested. Lately, Kanter carried
out a pre-draft workout with the Minnesota Timberwolves and by the time he finished the Wolves were left in awe.
Kanter had been working with the renowned trainer Tim Grover in Chicago to prepare for the draft workouts. He has already carried out pre-draft work outs sessions with Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers and will
be displaying his skills to the Washington Wizards next. After the Wizards, Kanter will pay another visit to the Cavaliers before the drafts next week and it seems like the Cavs are taking quite a keen interest in the sturdy centre for their No. 8 pick.
The 6ft-11in Turkish giant will be keen to prove his worth because these drills are just about the only platform he has to impress the franchise owners. He was due to take part in the collegiate season this year but was rendered
ineligible after an allegation that he had taken a pay of around $33,000 from the Fenerbahce Ulker club in Istanbul.
Kanter recently highlighted that very fact. "I try to show I'm in shape because I didn't play almost eight months, nine months," Kanter said. “Right now I'm just trying to show myself."
The 19-year-old proved trouble-some against some of the very promising college talents such as Jared Sullinger, Terrence Jones and Patrick Young. The line-up just could not put a stop to the Turk-monster at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit.
In that tourney, Kanter broke Dirk Nowitzki’s record scoring of 34 points and 13 rebounds in just 23 minutes.
With a dire need of a big guy at the centre, the Timberwolves cannot afford to let go of the opportunity, especially when the Cavs are reportedly more interested in Kyrie Irving for their number one pick. Wolves’ assistant general
manager Tony Ronzone has already hinted that the wolves will be eager to rope in Enes Kanter as the No. 2 draft pick, if available.
Ronzone knows Kanters’ game inside out. He has seen Kanter playing since the age of 16. Ronzone has been abroad connecting at almost all levels and he knows pretty well, all that Kanter can do.
Along with Kanter, the Timberwolves are considering taking in Derrick Williams in at No. 2. The assistant general manager said that Williams had been in Minnesota Thursday last week. The Arizona forward came in the afternoon for
his pre-draft work out session is also a hot shot in this years’ draft. He is a versatile player, who can play at both power forward and small forward position. In addition to that, he is perhaps the best shooter in the list of players available for this years’
draft.
With a more then decent post scorer and rebounder in the form of Kevin Love already present in the twin cities, the general inclination of the Wolves should be towards Kanter. If Williams is drafted and he comes in at power forward,
Love will have to shift at centre – a combination which is very unlikely to happen. If Williams goes in at small forward, then Michael Beasley gets benched which is also not a very viable option.
So considering the options available, it will be best for the Wolves to rope in Kanter and strengthen their back court.
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