Let’s mess up the ‘96 Draft!

In an alternate history scenario, Canis Hoopus proposes how the Minnesota Timberwolves should have approached the 1996 NBA Draft. The writer suggests trading the fifth overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers rather than executing the real-life draft-night trade of Ray Allen for Stephon Marbury. Under this proposed plan, Minnesota would move back to collect two first-round selections.

With those acquired picks, the writer argues the Timberwolves should have selected Santa Clara point guard Steve Nash at No. 12 and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas at No. 20. The author contends that pairing Nash with Kevin Garnett would have solved Minnesota's historical playmaking struggles and avoided future roster drama.