Michigan could have a pair of players picked in this year’s NBA Draft in Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin. Here are a few teams that would make sense as destinations for both of them:
Last year marked the first time since 2020 that Michigan didn’t have at least one player selected in the NBA Draft . But Michigan could be starting a new streak this week, as two former Wolverines could hear their names called in this year’s draft.
The players we’re talking about are Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin, a pair of big men with their own unique skillsets. Wolf and Goldin formed the duo dubbed “Area 50-1” and were major pieces for Michigan’s rapid turnaround under Dusty May. After both players earned second-team All-Big Ten selections, they’ll be rewarded for their efforts with a shot in the pros.
Of course, the team you go to can play a major factor in any prospect’s future success, meaning Wolf and Goldin are more likely to pan out if they land on teams that give them the right balance of opportunity for playing time and systems that match their skillsets. That’s why we’ll be taking a look at three teams that could make sense for Wolf and Goldin.
PF/C Danny Wolf
Possible fits: Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers
Standing at 6-foot-11, Wolf has the body of a big man but can run the floor like a guard. He’s also got the ability to space the floor with his three-point shot, even if he’s not shooting a high volume.
The Boston Celtics could have a use for a player like Wolf, as they pick at the end of the first round (right in Wolf’s range) and might have some holes on their roster to fill this offseason. Kristaps Porzingis could be a trade candidate thanks to his high salary, while Al Horford and Luke Kornett are both pending free agents. Wolf could join the Celtics and play big minutes right away depending on how they fill out their roster.
The Hornets are a different story. They’re still in rebuild mode after failing to make the playoffs this season. Fans might remember they traded center Mark Williams to the Lakers at the trade deadline this year, but the trade was rescinded. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Hornets try to move Williams in an effort to get even younger. If that’s the case, perhaps Wolf could be big man that they jump at with the No. 34 overall pick if he’s still available.
The Clippers could also be a candidate to take a big man at No. 30 overall. They made the playoffs this season, but could be in need of some younger rotation players alongside James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Ben Simmons is currently their backup center behind Ivaca Zubac, but Wolf would be a better fit and offers a higher ceiling based on where Simmons is at this point in his career.
C Vlad Goldin
Possible fits: Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz
Goldin is more of a traditional center than Wolf and excels on the offensive end. As we saw this year, his defense leaves something to be desired, which means he could slide into the second half of the second round. Still, he could be of use to some teams.
One of those teams that makes sense is the Cleveland Cavaliers . The Cavs pick at No. 49 and No. 58 in the draft, putting them in Goldin’s range. They’re anchored by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the middle, but those big men are both known more for their defense, meaning Goldin could provide a bit of a different look to opponents with his ability to score both inside and shoot occasionally on the perimeter.
The Lakers are also in need of a center. As we mentioned earlier, they had a failed trade attempt for Mark Williams during the regular season and didn’t do anything else to address their need for size. They have a collection of bigs in Jaxson Hayes, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jared Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, and Alex Len — not exactly a group of world-beaters. They pick at No. 55 overall.
Finally, the Jazz could also make some sense. They have been rebuilding for quite some time and could be on their way to trading a couple big men this offseason in Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen. Even if they keep Kessler (which seems more likely due to his age), they could use an offensive-minded big man on the interior, as Kessler is more of a strength on the defensive end. They pick near the end of the second round at No. 53 overall.