Zach LaVine could be a fit as the Timberwolves’ sixth-man

Despite a season blighted by injury, the progress of Zach LaVine was there for all to see, but could the long-range magician flourish as the Timberwolves’ sixth-man?

Last week, Dunking For Wolves detailed how Gorgui Dieng and his defensive attributes could mean that the Senegalese power forward is the sixth-man the Timberwolves crave. But, maybe such a role should be left for the man out of UCLA.

The 6′-5″ LaVine has continued to improve his game for Minnesota, improving across all areas of his game. His field goal makes and attempts have increased every year since 2014, alongside his three-point percentage, making LaVine’s ever-present rise all the more impressive.

He wanted to prove that he was more than just a two-time dunk champion, electing to not participate in the 2017 All-Star competition held in New Orleans. LaVine told reporters that:

Despite the initial response to his words from many disappointed basketball fans, it came as a welcome relief to those in downtown Minneapolis.

In fact, it was arguably one of the first times in around ten years that there was any mention of the words ‘the playoffs’ in a sentence regarding the Timberwolves without ‘will not make’ prior to them.

Of course, in hindsight, it all appears a little ironic and through gritted teeth.

Injuries but Improvements

Zach suffered a season-ending injury in February – a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament – and would have been out of the dunk contest regardless.

The Timberwolves went 12-20, and the off-season became the ‘off-to-the-beach’, with the longest playoff drought continuing on for another 12 months.

That was not to say LaVine had a poor campaign — far from it.

As detailed above, his stats had taken a significant increase. He ended up playing around nine minutes more than the 2015-16 season, as well as close to doubling his three-point attempts.

Although his per-game assists went down by 0.1, the improvement for rebounding, steals and turnovers is a welcome sight to any Minnesota fan.

But surely these are the stats of a man who should be starting every single game for the Timberwolves? An integral part of the Big Three alongside Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins, one could say.

Defensive Frailties and Consistency

But on occasion, LaVine would not be the three-point man you expected on court. His defensive frailties were more often than not on show.

In the fourth quarter of their match-up with the Phoenix Suns, LaVine was all-at-sea when attempting to mark Devin Booker, who gobbled up the open-look three with ease.

It is a shame that there is that lack of consistency of defense, especially since when asked what his focal point of improvement would be for the season just gone, LaVine told the broadcasters of the Samsung NBA Summer League that:

"“I try to get in the best condition I can […] I know Thibs and his philosophy of defense so definitely try to get better at defense as well. Just to try to get more consistent […] working on all my game.”"

Although his defense may not be James Harden-esque, but an improvement in this field could really expand his game.

However, when you get ball in LaVine’s hands. He can make things happen. This is why Zach could thrive as the Timberwolves’ sixth-man for the 2018-19 marathon.

Clutch

His ability to hit threes at clutch times has been an important factor in his improvement. The reason the constant debate between Wiggins-LaVine as KAT’s right-hand man is always high on the agenda of fans across the globe.

Remember, this is the same guy who drained back-to-back three the season before last to force 2OT in Washington without breaking sweat.

The same guy who made a couple of treys in Utah in 2015, in the final minute of the fourth to send the lowly-Wolves to overtime. His composure to make the winning free-throws was also something to behold.

Even when losses occurred, he was doing what he does best, putting up 40 in Sacramento this season, and still came away with a loss to the Kings.

Sixth-Man

It is these examples that make LaVine the perfect candidate to become the Timberwolves’ sixth-man. He has the ability to take the final shot of the game and make it.

LaVine has the potential to be that guy to come off the bench and guide the Timberwolves to a win when called upon.

Alongside that argument, even the ability to be brought in during quarters when things are not going quite to plan. Hit a few threes, help Ricky Rubio in the fast-break transition, and look to exemplify all the improvements that everyone has seen flashes of.

Next: Timberwolves Mock Draft 1.0

Consistency is key to LaVine. Solve that problem, and Minnesota have a fine young man on their roster and a probable sixth man.