Minnesota Lynx Draft Preview

The Lynx are bringing back a ton of veteran talent, but will it be enough to defend their title against this year's top draftees?
Kevin C. Cox/NBAE/Getty Images

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First 3 Selections in 2013 No. 12 overall No. 14 overall No. 24 overall Last 3 First Round Picks (Pick, Year) Lindsey Moore (12, 2013) Devereraux Peters (3, 2012) Maya Moore (1, 2011)

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Strengths Experience Scoring Defense Areas of Improvement Frontcourt Depth Bench Depth Rebounding

This year Minnesota finds itself with the last pick in every round -- as well as the third pick in the second round (from Tulsa) -- which shouldn�t leave them feeling anxious as they boast one of the strongest rosters in the league. Janel McCarville and Monica Wright just signed contracts to return and Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Agustus will all be back as well.

�(With) Monica, (we have a) luxury there, we have something no other team has,� head coach Cheryl Reeve told LynxBasketball.com. �We have four players that we can put on the floor at any given time.� But how do you navigate a draft with 4 late picks and still find someone to gel with a system that -- in theory -- already works?

�It's funny,� Lynx Assistant Coach Shelley Patterson said, �but some people say �you guys don't need anything,� but you always need something.�

�I don�t know if there's as much of a strategy when you pick as late as we do,� she continued. �You have to do your homework and hopefully you can get someone to kind of compliment the players you already have.�

That said, Patterson adds: �We need to bump up our post play.� As well as: �We need to strengthen the bench.�

But with the 12th pick, who that next addition to the team will be is anyone�s guess.

�Depends on who�s left by then,� said Patterson.

Whoever it is though, you can be sure that they�ll be a good fit for the Lynx whose team atmosphere Coach Patterson describes as a �family� that �trusts each other completely.�

Which (don�t tell) is probably the biggest secret to the Minnesota Lynx�s success.