Why Pick 33 in the NBA Draft May Be More Valuable to Wolves Than Pick 28
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Julius Randle and the 28th draft pick to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal, moving down five spots to pick 33 and gaining salary cap flexibility to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu and pursue future additions.
- The trade frees the Wolves from Randle's inconsistent performance while potentially benefiting players like Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid by opening up their roles.
- Although moving from the 28th to the 33rd pick seems like a downgrade, the 33rd pick may be more valuable financially because second-round picks have more flexible and typically cheaper contract terms than first-round picks, allowing the Wolves to save cap space.
- Last year’s contracts illustrate the financial difference: the 28th pick signed a four-year, $14.3 million deal with significant guarantees, while early second-round picks signed for less than half that amount, often with minimal guarantees.
- The Wolves could also use the 33rd pick as a trade asset to move back up in the draft, though they will need to navigate the increasingly agent-driven nature of the second round.
