We all know grading a draft as soon as it is over is folly.
Of course, it also makes for good copy and a fun read.
And this year, especially, if you are a fan of the Timberwolves, it makes for a very good read.
With that in mind, here are how writers around the Web graded the Wolves and their picks of Karl-Anthony Towns and Tyus Jones. Yeah, you'll enjoy this.
Here's the list:
ESPN.com's Chad Ford: Grade A. "It's easy to overlook the No. 1 team sometimes in these things. We forget that they can screw it up. The rankings of the No. 1 pick over the past 25 years is a testament to that. The Wolves didn't screw it up. They got the best player in the draft, a perfect fit for their system and a player who, if he reaches his ceiling, could be a superstar. Pair him with Andrew Wiggins and the Wolves have two potential studs to build around. I also like their trade of the 31st and 36th picks for Jones. I don't love Jones as a NBA starter, but he's the perfect backup point guard. He's steady, unselfish, smart and rarely turns the ball over. He'll be great backing up Ricky Rubio."
SI.com's Chris Mannix: Gives pick of Towns a grade of A. ". . . he should fit in nicely. In Towns, Minnesota gets a highly skilled power forward who can be the post complement to Andrew Wiggins. Towns has a developing face-up game and his superior free throw shooting guarantees he won't be a victim of Hack-a-Anybody. Towns will get at least a year to learn the position under Kevin Garnett; his selection here gives Minnesota an enviable young core." He also gives the pick of Jones a B+. "He's a tempo-pushing playmaker (which Flip Saunders will love) who showed poise beyond his years last season. He's patient, extremely comfortable in the pick-and-roll and sees the floor well. He's an average shooter (who isn't at this point?) and physically he's not all that imposing. But if Minnesota is looking for a backup for Ricky Rubio, Jones is a nice option."
Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears: Gives pick of Towns a grade of A+ and Jones a C+. On Jones: "Jones is neither very big nor very athletic, but he makes up for it with savvy decisions and a knack for sinking huge shots at key moments. He'll struggle on defense, but with the game on the line, he seldom misses."
USA Today's Scott Gleeson: Grade A. "You can't screw up the No. 1 pick, right? It's been done before. But not this year. Karl Anthony Towns (No. 1) is a big man who offers a diverse skillset and loads of potential. Moreover, Towns will fit in perfectly right away with a young nucleus in Minnesota. Tyus Jones (No. 24 acquired via trade) is about as good of a backup point man that you'll find."
USA Today's Steven Ruiz: Gives pick of Towns a grade of A and Jones a B-.
CBSSports.com's Matt Moore: Gives pick of Towns a grade of A+. "The unquestionable best player in this draft, Towns is the total package at both ends and the kind of athletic, talented player that can change a franchise forever. TOTAL. MONSTER." Also gave pick of Jones a grade of A. "With the kind of talent the Wolves will have, it's great to have a floor general which Jones projects to be."
CBSSports.com's Sam Vecenie: Grade A+. "No one improved themselves more in this draft than the Minnesota Timberwolves."
SBNation's Kevin O'Connor: Gives pick of Towns a grade of A in both fit and opportunity; the pick of Jones garned an A for fit and B for opportunity. " Towns has All-Star potential and a chance to develop into a transcendent player with his vast skills on the offensive end of the floor. . . . Jones is a pure point who should be a nice fit."
The Sporting News' Scott Rafferty: Grade A+.
Dime/UPROXX's Jack Winter: Grade A.
The Washington Times' Paul Banks and The Sports Bank's David Kay via WalterFootball.com: Gave the pick of Towns an A and Jones an A+.
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