Mock Draft 2.0: New Orleans Pelicans Jump into Top Four

The Minnesota Timberwolves are having a disappointing season and would be even more disappointed if they dropped three draft spots to number six.

The Timberwolves seem to have finally found the core they want to build around with center Karl-Anthony Towns and shooting guard Russell.

This draft might preview how they plan to build around that core.

With Russell and Malik Beasley the Timberwolves may have their backcourt of the future, and obviously are set at the center position with Towns.

But both Russell and Beasley are shoot-first guards, which is why taking a passing point guard makes a lot of sense.

Haliburton may end up being the best passer in this class, so he is a good fit on a team already loaded with scorers.

Haliburton could start long Russell, giving Beasley the chance to be a “lighting in a bottle” type sixth man off the bench.

Haliburton also has the size at 6-foot-5 to defend either guard position and allow the defenseless Russell to take whichever guard is worse.

He could run an effective pick-and-roll with Towns, Russell and Beasley, which is something the Timberwolves did well in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans just before the hiatus.

With many teams going with a three-guard lineup, Haliburton could help turn the Timberwolves into one of the best offensive teams in the league.