MINNEAPOLIS -- Not even the Timberwolves' long-running proclivity toward draft lottery misfortune can sully its prospects this year, according to coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders.
Thanks to a dismal 16-66 mark that ranks second-worst in club history, Minnesota has a league-best 25 percent chance at the 2015 NBA Draft's No. 1 overall pick when the ping-pong balls are drawn May 19. Even better, the Wolves -- who have never moved up in the lottery and been shifted down 10 times -- will pick no lower than fourth.
And in a draft class that's strong at the top, that means a high-impact player no matter what, Saunders said.
"It's a pretty top-heavy draft, really, compared to some of these past years," Saunders said. "Whoever we draft will be a piece, yes. The draft is that good."
While Minnesota is committed to a "best-available" approach, its most glaring need is in the frontcourt. It so happens this draft's two highest-regarded entrants, Kentucky freshman Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor, both played center on their respective Final Four teams.
But even if those two aren't available and/or Saunders thinks a guard like Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell or Chinese professional Emmanuel Mudiay brings the most impact, the Wolves should be able to nab a prized player.
It's a good position to be in, considering the team with the most ping-pong balls in the pot hasn't won the lottery since Orlando in 2004.
"It's interesting, because people always talk about the lottery," Saunders said. "It's not from the perspective of you getting the No. 1 pick, but it shows basically who your basement is. It's important to know from a perspective of where you're at that there might only be so far that you go down."
With that in mind, Saunders, general manager Milt Newton and the Wolves' scouting staff will sift through all the possibilities between now and the June 25 draft. The process includes the NBA Draft Combine May 12-17, individual workouts and exhaustive film study and background checks.
And Minnesota won't limit itself just because it's stacked at the point guard and wing spots with Ricky Rubio, Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad and Zach LaVine.
"Usually, the teams that have made major mistakes in this league have drafted for position rather than drafting who the best player was or who they thought was maybe someone else higher on the board, but he wasn't the position they really wanted," Saunders said. "That's how we'll evaluate it."
Wiggins, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, wouldn't mind playing alongside another blue-chipper. But regardless of what happens the next two months, the Rookie of the Year frontrunner expects improvement.
"If we get it, we get it," Wiggins said. "No matter what, next year, I feel like we're going to be a much, much better team."
The Wolves also own two second-round picks -- 31st and 36th overall -- that could be used to build depth or possibly be packaged in a trade, Saunders said. Minnesota is in particular need of 3-point shooting, which sometimes can be had in the second round, but Saunders said that could be a priority in free agency, too (depending, partly, what happens with Kevin Garnett).
Determining what to do with those second-round picks will require thorough vetting, too. But the Wolves' main focus remains on adding another potential franchise-changing youngster to the mix as the Wolves they seek to end an 11-year playoff drought.
"It's good for the future," LaVine said. "A higher draft pick means probably a better player, so that's what you look forward to."
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