2011 NBA Draft: Will the Timberwolves Take Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter?

Danny FlynnJun 22, 2011

Count me as one of the many college basketball fans who was disappointed when the NCAA ruled Turkish sensation Enes Kanter ineligible to play at Kentucky this past season.

After hearing so much build up and hype about Kanter last summer, it was a shame that we weren’t able to see what he could do against the best collegiate competition this country has to offer.

The sensational 6’11’’ center, who was being projected as a top-three pick before the start of the season, has been out of action for over a year now, but that apparently hasn’t hurt his draft stock at all.

Reports indicate that the Minnesota Timberwolves could be eyeing Kanter with the No. 2 overall pick in tomorrow night’s NBA Draft, which comes as a bit of a shock since Arizona forward Derrick Williams is widely considered to be the best prospect in the draft after Duke guard Kyrie Irving, who at this point is basically guaranteed to go No. 1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With Irving almost assured to come off the board first, the Timberwolves are in position to alter the entire top ten with their selection, and it seems things are about to get more interesting than we originally thought.

Minnesota, a team that’s been known to make a few off the wall moves during GM David Kahn’s tenure, has three options.

Trade the pick, or stay at two and take either Williams or Kanter.

If the rumors are true, the Timberwolves have already been fielding plenty of trade proposals over the past few weeks and it wouldn’t be shocking to see a contending team move up to the No. 2 spot in order to nab Williams.

If Kahn and the T-Wolves stay put, however, it should be interesting to see who they take.

We know that the front office will be looking to add some help to a front court that already includes two talented young pieces in Michael Beasley and Kevin Love. But who is the more sensible option, Williams or Kanter?

Williams, a 6’8’’ small forward/power forward tweener, wowed scouts and fans alike during his sophomore season in Tuscon, topping off his Pac-10 Player of the Year campaign with a dominant showing in the NCAA Tournament.

At this point, Williams would appear to be the more proven and polished of the two, but Kanter may actually be the one who has more potential and upside.

With Williams, the Timberwolves have to wonder if they would just be getting a less flaky version of Beasley.

While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, with Kanter, they could get the established center they need to really solidify their front court.

The Utah Jazz, who sit at No. 3 right behind Minnesota, are said to love Kanter’s ability, so even if the Timberwolves ultimately decide to take Williams, don’t expect the big Turk to slide very far.

We should know by the time Minnesota’s on the clock, which way the team is leaning, but when David Kahn is at the wheel, you never know which direction things could go.

The only sure thing is that there will be some sort of drama involved, especially since coach Kurt Rambis is expected to be fired.