Lynx have No. 2 pick in draft Monday with eye to future

The Lynx enter Monday’s WNBA draft in a different position with a different philosophy.

Minnesota will pick No. 2 — its highest selection in years — and have an eye more toward the future than the immediate future.

So while Minnesota’s current roster may look like one that would require a center or a point guard, making next year’s team as competitive as possible isn’t the primary concern.

The Lynx are building toward the future.

“You pick who is the best available,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said. “Even if Minnesota doesn’t necessarily have the need for that position this year, if that’s what’s best available, I would expect that’s what they take. And I think it’s also important when you look at teams and drafts, as much as you look at the needs for what they have this year, you also have to look at when contracts expire and what their needs might be in the immediate future.”

And that appears to be the approach. Minnesota has long been a team in pursuit of titles in the now. That held true to as recently as last year — Sylvia Fowles’ swan song.

But the legendary center’s retirement signaled the turning of a page for Minnesota. There was a brief foray into a possible reload when free agent megastars Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot had interest in meeting with the Lynx. But they both ultimately chose to play for the Liberty.

“If you get them, then maybe you have a different mindset,” Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve said. “When you don’t, then your path is decided for you.”

It’s time for a rebuild. So while Minnesota currently has Aerial Powers and Kayla McBride under contract for next season, that doesn’t mean the Lynx will be any less likely to take someone like Maryland guard Diamond Miller with the second overall pick in the draft versus trying to fill an immediate need, likely through a trade.

“(A trade would) have to be a real mover. In our conversations with (owner Glen Taylor) about the future of the franchise, we’re not interested in trading our picks,” Reeve said. “We are in a place where having good, young talent, and if we’re fortunate to be in a draft lottery and move up to No. 2, we’re going to try to capitalize on that. If something really moved us, then maybe, but not likely.”

The Lynx also own the 12th and final pick of the first round. But all eyes rest on No. 2. Miller is certainly the consensus pick there. The Maryland guard averaged 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists this past season. That includes an NCAA Tournament run where Miller averaged 22 points a game over the Terrapins’ final three tournament contests while leading her team to an Elite Eight appearance.

The presumptive No. 1 pick is South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston. If Minnesota wanted to go a different route other than Miller, Stanford forward Haley Jones could be a candidate. But Miller does seem like a player with more long-term upside.

Reeve called Miller “a player who appears to be pretty coachable” and is also armed with a bevy of confidence.

“I think that’s what separates a lot of these players. The really good ones believe they can do anything, and that’s something that I think is enjoyable to coach. It’s enjoyable to kind of dive into from a player development standpoint,” Reeve said. “Diamond has the physical gifts that I think we all look at and go, ‘Wow.’ She’s legit 6-foot-3, has some length, athleticism, real abilities.”

But, Reeve noted, there’s “a long road ahead” for Miller to realize her abundant potential.

“There’s not a guarantee of immediate success. There’s, I think, quite a bit for each of these prospects that they’re going to go through, as every year,” Reeve said. “But I think if they’re coachable and they don’t think that they’re really special when they come into the WNBA, if they understand that this is not an easy league and if they’re humble, then they have a chance.

“We’ve had players like that, like a Napheesa Collier who just was a sponge and had that humility that was necessary to kind of go, I don’t know a whole lot about this league, and you’re open to listening and being coached. That’ll give Diamond Miller and others a great chance to maximize their talent and find success.”

And, unlike in previous years, the Lynx are now in a position where they can take the time to help players grow and cultivate their abilities.

“I think whoever Minnesota gets, they’re going to have a chance to play a good amount and learn and work. This is one of the rare years where you don’t look at Minnesota going into the season and think that it’s a team that is going to be contending for a championship,” Lobo said. “I think everybody in the organization is OK with that. They’re in the mode now after all of those championships and the dynasty after Sylvia has retired and Maya has officially retired that it’s a new era, and that might mean a little bit of time where you’re growing and learning.

“So, Diamond is going to have an opportunity to learn through her mistakes if she ends up there — I should say whoever the No. 2 pick is will have an opportunity to learn through their mistakes. They’ll be playing for a great head coach and a great coaching staff that can help develop, as well.”