Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams Is What the Team Needs Moving Forward

The Minnesota Timberwolves might have just found a rookie that could be a key piece to their future with Derrick Williams.

After watching the Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the right player fortunately fell into general manager David Khan’s lap.

Williams, who spent two years playing college basketball at the University of Arizona, has been showing his versatile and all-around skills in this young NBA season.

Williams is a 6'8'' forward who can shoot the ball and has shown the ability to play both in the frontcourt and on the wing.

Whether it is dunking lob passes from fellow rookie Ricky Rubio, making a turnaround jumper closer to the basket or hitting a clutch three-point shot, Williams can do it all.

Head coach Rick Adelman has an interesting trio of young players to build around.

As the season rolls along, it will be interesting to see what happens to the other young players like Wesley Johnson, Martell Webster and Nikola Pekovic (in terms of minutes), as it appears the Timberwolves want to see how the combo of Williams and Rubio works when the pressure is on.

So far this season, Williams is averaging 8.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 20 minutes per game in his first eight games.

Williams' versatility and team-oriented style of play will pay dividends down the line and his solid play will lead to the formation of a formidable group alongside Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.