SB Nation Minnesota - NBA Draft 2012: Timberwolves Select Robbie Hummel In Second Round

NBA Draft 2012: Purdue Fans Are Delighted That Hummel Is Headed To Minnesota

2012-07-02T00:15:38Z

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been mostly panned for their selection of Robbie Hummel in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft. Fans of the Boilermakers, however, are more than pleased with the pick. Hummel had a brilliant, if injury plagued, four year career in West Lafayette, and the irony of him getting selected by Minnesota was not lost on Purdue fans. After all, it was in Minnesota against the Golden Gophers that he sustained his first ACL tear, and his second happened when the Golden Gopher football team was in West Lafayette during the 2010 season.

SB Nation's Hammer & Rails is still more than overjoyed that a favorite son is going to get his shot:

One area that Minnesota needs help in is 3-point shooting. They were ranked 23rd in the league in 3pt percentage at 33.2%, and attempted 26.1 3pt shots per game while only hitting 7.2 of those shots. That's nothing impressive, least to say. Now they have a guy who in college shot almost 40% his senior year from behind the arc (.383) and 82% from the foul line. Coaches love having guys who can hit their gimme shots.

Robbie is coming into one of the younger teams in the league that is finally showing some promise and, with the right pieces and circumstances, could make it into the playoffs in the next few years. Right pieces meaning K-Love & Rubio stay while they get rid of Beasley and hope that Derrick Williams turns out to be a legit NBA forward and circumstances being the Lakers & Mavericks age start to catch up with them, leaving some playoff spots up for grabs.

Anyway, with all this being said Robbie is basically going to be asked one thing: shoot. Look for Robbie to be coming in as the 10th or 11th man off the bench as of now and to come in at shooting situations or when there is a blowout. This is a good fit for Robbie. Whenever he comes off the bench people will expect him to just shoot. This is where Hummel has the opportunity that he is capable of so much more than just that.

For more 2012 NBA Draft coverage, stay locked with this StoryStream. For more on the T-Wolves, check out Canis Hoopus. And for more NBA news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's NBA hub.

NBA Draft Grades 2012: One Experts Has Low Marks For The Minnesota Timberwolves

2012-06-30T01:22:24Z

The Minnesota Timberwolves had just one pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The team traded their first-round pick, No. 18, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chase Budinger. That left Minnesota with only one selection in the second round, 58th overall. They used that pick on Purdue forward Robbie Hummel.

SB Nation's NBA editor Tom Ziller did not like the pick. Here's his take:

Alright, here we go.

This is David Kahn. This is exactly what David Kahn is. He is a man that makes rash, barely defensible decisions, and then piles more barely defensible decisions on top of them. He turns quarters into dimes like no one else. He is a volunteer fire department that sets itself on fire. He has botched enough attempts to add help on the wings (Wes Johnson, Martell Webster) that he had to give up a first-round pick for a recent second-round pick who had been knocked back in the rotation by a rookie Chandler Parsons.

This isn't overpaying. This is just throwing money at a fire and watching it burn. This is buying hedge clippers on QVC when you need to cut up a baguette and can't find a knife.

Budinger might be a nice fit -- he knows Rick Adelman's system, and he can fly. But he was not worth anything remotely close to the No. 18 days before the deepest draft in years. Chase Budinger or players like him are not going to disappear behind lock and key if you don't pull the trigger two days before the draft. Stop panicking, man. Breathe, homey. You're making things worse. GRADE: D

Draft grade tend to look different over time. Will that be the case for Minnesota?

For more 2012 NBA Draft coverage, stay locked with this StoryStream. For more on the T-Wolves, check out Canis Hoopus. And for more NBA news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's NBA hub.

2012 NBA Draft: TImberwolves' Late 2nd Round Pick Unsurprisingly Lackluster

2012-06-29T14:45:03Z

After losing their 18th overall pick in the trade to Houston that netted them Chase Budinger, the Minnesota Timberwolves just had to sit back and watch the NBA draft from afar. They finally picked again at 58th overall, selecting Robbie Hummel out of Purdue from a big batch of possibilities.

Minnesota blog Canis Hoopus took a look at the group of college players that he fit in most with, and they weren't all that impressed with the selection of Hummel over a number of other players that were on the board at the time:

In terms of 3/4s and 4s, Hummel found himself in this grouping of players:

Arnett Moultrie Mississippi St. 26.2154004395895

Mike Glover Iona 25.9125344331479

Keith Clanton Central Florida 25.8546269054126

Not exactly a barn-burner filled group, especially with John Shurna, Rakim Sanders, Marcus Denmon, Ken Horton, and Trey Zeigler on the board. Seriously, Marcus Denmon. Come on, guys. Sign Robbie to a free agent deal. Draft...ugh.

It's pretty hard to get worked up about this specific selection. It's the 58th pick. It's Robbie Hummel. If he makes the team, he'll be a long shot who will see limited minutes. That being said...well, I can't say I expected more so I'll just stop here.

Like they said, it's pretty hard to get angry at a pick made in the late second round of the NBA draft. Hummel will, worst case, simply struggle to make the roster like most late second rounders tend to. At best, he makes the squad, is useful, and makes Canis Hoopus forget all about those other fringe players they could have had.

For more 2012 NBA Draft coverage, stay locked with this StoryStream. For more on the T-Wolves, check out Canis Hoopus. And for more NBA news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's NBA hub.

NBA Draft Grades 2012: Timberwolves Given Good Grade By CBS After Quiet Draft

2012-06-29T13:40:42Z

There wasn't much to do for the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft day after they traded their first round pick, 18th overall, to the Houston Rockets for swingman Chase Budinger. With their only pick, the 58th overall, they picked up Purdue forward Robbie Hummel, who if not for two straight ACL tears would probably have worked himself into first round discussions with a great career for the Boilermakers.

With that in mind, when NBA draft grades started to come out after the conclusion of the draft, there wasn't really much to grade for the Wolves. Still, Hummel was highly regarded enough a draft selection to get a solid A grade out of CBS' Matt Moore in his draft grades:

Robbie Hummel (58): I'm done crushing T'Wolves GM David Kahn after this pick. Hummel will find a way to make the team and contribute.

If just picking Hummel was worth an A+, imagine how high the grade could go if they had managed to pull off that reported trade attempt with the Charlotte Bobcats that would have given them the No. 2 pick!

For more 2012 NBA Draft coverage, stay locked with this StoryStream. For more on the T-Wolves, check out Canis Hoopus. And for more NBA news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's NBA hub.

2012 NBA Draft Results: Minnesota Timberwolves Select Robbie Hummel With 58th Overall Pick

2012-06-29T03:59:42Z

With the 58th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Robbie Hummel, forward out of Purdue.

After roughly four hours of waiting through 57 picks, the Timberwolves took a solid talent in Hummel who should be able to stick on the roster at worst and provide a little bit of everything off the bench as a best case. Hummel suffered back-to-back ACL tears in his right knee while at Purdue before finishing his senior season without incident. Hummel remains a risk but has been going through pre-draft workouts without a knee brace to prove he is healthy and ready to give the NBA a shot.

The 6'8" forward has a strong all-around game, averaging 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in his final season at Purdue. Hummel showed his perimeter shooting range by making 72 three-pointers while shooting 38.3% from behind the arc, the type of skill that could make him a nice spot-up threat to spread defenses in the NBA.

For more 2012 NBA Draft coverage, stay locked with this StoryStream. For more on the T-Wolves, check out Canis Hoopus. And for more NBA news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's NBA hub.

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Timberwolves Reportedly Try To Trade Derrick Williams For No. 2 Pick

2012-06-28T16:28:29Z

The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to move up in the 2012 NBA Draft. They've already traded their lone first-round pick, No. 18 overall, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for forward Chase Budinger. Prior to making that trade, the word was that they were shopping Derrick Williams in order to move back up into the first round of the draft.

Some questioned as to whether or not they'd still be shopping Williams after moving out of the first round, but it's looking like they're still being active. How active, you might ask? Active enough to make a move for the No. 2 pick in the draft, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express on Twitter:

Sources say Minnesota offered Derrick Williams to Charlotte in exchange for the #2 pick. Bobcats quickly rejected.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 28, 2012

Williams himself was the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Most figured the Timberwolves would be trying to move up again, but up to No. 2 is something of a surprise. Still, it's not shocking that the Bobcats declined the trade. It would likely take a player and another first-round pick to move into that slot.

Budinger coming to Minnesota might mean the Timberwolves are willing to settle for a little bit lest with Williams. Budinger will definitely take playing time from him, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Minnesota trying to go with some different trades with some later picks to move him.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA Draft 2012: Timberwolves' Trade For Chase Budinger '1st Of Several Moves,' According To Report

2012-06-28T14:36:21Z

The Minnesota Timberwolves' trade for former Houston Rockets swingman Chase Budinger is by no means the end of their offseason roster makeover, according to an Associated Press article.

In dealing their No. 18 pick to Houston to acquire Budinger, a second-round pick in 2009, the Timberwolves may have set off a series of dominoes that could make for an interesting off-season -- and potentially, an interesting draft night.

From the AP article:

"You should assume there will be other changes made,'' [Minnesota GM David] Kahn said on Wednesday.

Kahn also said the Timberwolves are interested in signing free agent guard Brandon Roy, who retired from Portland before last season began because of knee troubles but is trying to make a comeback. Adding Budinger and looking to bring in the three-time All-Star Roy would seem to signify the end of the road for Martell Webster and Michael Beasley in Minnesota.

...Kahn said those decisions have not been made yet, but things are expected to ramp up as the draft approaches on Thursday night.

The article goes on to say that the Budinger trade also casts doubt on the futures of Derrick Williams, who the team drafted No. 2 overall last year, and Wesley Johnson, who the Wolves took No. 4 overall in 2010.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:

NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Looking For First Round Pick

2012-06-28T12:01:02Z

The Minnesota Timberwolves moved out of the first round when they traded their No. 18 pick to Houston for Chase Budinger on Tuesday, but it's not as if they don't want to add more young talent.

Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said at Wednesday's introductory press conference for Budinger that he's not done making moves and would like to explore getting back into the first round, via Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

"Acquiring Chase was a necessary step to help us get better, but you can assume other changes will be made," Kahn said Wednesday. "I'm confident we'll be able to do some other things as well."

[…]

"That's one of the many things I've been doing today, trying to see if we can get back in," Kahn said. "I have no idea of what might occur tomorrow night."

The 2012 NBA Draft is Thursday night and, perhaps, the Timberwolves roster will look significantly different when it is over. Either way, it sounds like they'll be involved in some interesting rumors.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, head over to Canis Hoopus. More news and analysis on the NBA can be found over at SB Nation's NBA hub, and more on the upcoming draft can be found at the specialized NBA Draft hub.