The ultimate Minnesota Timberwolves draft guide is here. This will be a working document with all of the Timberwolves draft predictions.
This is designed to be your one-stop shop for all of your Minnesota Timberwolves draft information. We will outline the most likely prospects the Timberwolves will draft, including strengths, weaknesses, and comparsions, and who the major sites are predicting the Wolves to draft come June 22nd.
This ultimate Timberwolves draft guide will be updated and reposted as teams and reporters continue to learn more information about the draft and the thinking of Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden.
Barring a trade, the Timberwolves are slated to select seventh overall, a spot which should land them a talented player in this year’s deep class. They do not currently own a second-round pick, however that may change as they will probably look to add a player to fill the roster of their newly acquired D-League team.
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Being that this is the first version of the ultimate draft guide, expect future versions to look different as we adapt and learn on the fly. We want to provide you with the best information all located in one easy spot so feel free to leave comments below as to how we can improve this guide for you.
Glossary:
Zach Collins- Page 2
De’Aaron Fox- Page 3
Jonathan Isaac- Page 4
Lauri Markkanen- Page 5
Malik Monk- Page 6
Jayson Tatum- Page 7
Mock Draft predictions- Page 8
Zach Collins PF/ C
Age:19 Height:7’0″ Weight:232 Wingspan:7’1″ Standing Reach:9’3″
10.0 points 5.9 Rebounds 0.4 Assists 1.8 Blocks 0.5 Steals 31.5 PER
Zach Collins is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft. He played limited minutes during his only year in Gonzaga as he averaged only 17.3 per game. His impressive feat comes when you look at his Per 40 minute averages where he puts up impressive numbers such as 23.2 points, 13. 6 rebounds, 4.1 blocks and 1.1 steals.
Strengths
- draws lots of fouls
- good mechanics on his shot, flashed outside shooting ability
- mobile big man, can run the floor well
- can guard true big men and stretch forwards with the potential to defend on perimeter
- good shot blocker
- good base of skills to build off while in the NBA
- soft hands
Weaknesses
- lacks elite length and reach
- fouls a ton
- inconsistent focus
- struggles to pass the ball
- questions about his toughness and physicality
Comparison
Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Jason Smith
Projected Range
10-13
What to expect on the Timberwolves
"Any team drafting Collins will likely need to be patient early on in his career, as there is a great deal of raw talent that can be harnessed on both ends of the floor, but its difficult to pinpoint one area he can hang his hat on immediately while he gets his feet wet. Nevertheless, athletic 7-footers with skill don’t grow on trees, and Collins’ productivity as a freshman and outstanding performance in the NCAA Final Four should ease many of the concerns about his lack of polish and earn him a spot in the NBA Draft’s Green Room."
-Draft Express
De’Aaron Fox PG
Age: 19 Height: 6’3″ Weight:170 Wingspan:6’6″ Standing Reach: 8’4″
16.7 Points 3.9 Rebounds 4.6 Assists 0.2 Blocks 1.5 Steals 23.1 PER
De’Aaron Fox may be the next elite point guard to come out of Kentucky. He is quickly rising up draft boards as scouts are given more time to break down his excellent play during the NCAA tournament. He is super quick and was able to flash all of his strengths at Kentucky. Fox also presents with good size and wingspan for a point guard, making him all that more intriguing.
Strengths
- super quick
- high IQ player
- great ball-handler
- good lateral quickness allows him to defend well
- great size for a point guard
Weaknesses
- needs to put on muscle
- not a consistent shooter
- turns the ball over too often
Comparison
Mike Conley, John Wall, Elfrid Payton
Projected Range
3-5
What to expect on the Timberwolves
"De’Aaron Fox, who got the best of Ball in the NCAA Tournament, has a chance to grow into the best point guard to come out of this draft, even if his odds may be a little longer than his more advanced peers. Fox will need to get stronger to better handle the rigors of the NBA game, but otherwise has clearly defined, but improvable, weaknesses, and has a chance to be a major long-term piece for whichever team ultimately drafts him if he can develop his body and game around his elite speed and quickness."
-Draft Express
Jonathan Isaac SF/ PF
Age:19 Height:6’10” Weight:205 Wingspan:7’1″ Standing Reach:9’0″
12.0 Points 7.8 Rebounds 1.2 Assists 1.5 Blocks 1.2 Steals 25.1PER
Jonathan Isaac is everyone’s favorite projection to land with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is a versatile player out of Florida State and projects to be everything the Wolves need. He can play multiple positions, defend some, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective.
Strengths
- versatile scorer
- athletic
- play small-ball 4 or the 3
- block shots
- guard on the perimeter
- good rebounder
Weaknesses
- doesn’t have good hands
- lacks court vision
- lack of strength
- 3-point shooting
- ball handling
Comparison
Harrison Barnes, Marvin Williams
Projected Range
7-10
What to expect on the Timberwolves
"Jonathan Isaac is an interesting case. He’s one of the more unique, and possibly impactful, defensive prospects in this draft, with a combination of playmaking, length, athleticism, effort, and versatility that you don’t find very often. That kind of role, especially i he can make that three-point shot a consistent part of his game to spread the floor, is an incredibly valuable one for teams to fill, especially as more and more coaches want to switch anything they can on the perimeter. Isaac fits that archetype to a T. Yet it’s also possible, for as valuable as Isaac can become in that role, that you’d be left wondering whither he’s reached his full potential offensively. Even so, that shouldn’t cloud the value he can bring as a versatile, playmaking, unique three-and-D forward. Regardless of the concern over reaching his offensive potential, he’s likely to be drafted high in the 2017 draft because of how valued his role has become, and how few projections you have to make in order to see him filling that role effectively."
-Draft Express
Lauri Markkanen PF
Age:20 Height:7’0″ Weight:225 Wingspan:N/A Standing Reach:N/A
15.6 Points 7.2 Rebounds 0.9 Assists 0.5 Blocks 0.4 Steals 25.4 PER
Lauri Markkanen may very well be my favorite prospect that the Timberwolves are likely to draft in this year’s class. He is a true seven footer who can step out to the 3-point line and knock down shots. That is what the Wolves need both this summer- shooting.
Strengths
- moves well for a big man
- NBA range on jumper
- can score off the dribble
- can use both hands
- defensive potential
Weaknesses
- playmaking for others
- interior defense
- rebounding
- not an inside scoring presence
Comparison
Dirk Nowitzki, Ryan Anderson, Channing Frye
Projected Range
6-14
What to expect on the Timberwolves
"Among the more intriguing forward prospects in this draft, Markkanen’s strengths and weaknesses are fairly cut and dry despite his relative youth. Shooters of his caliber at the power forward position don’t come along very often, and even fewer have the pedigree to enter the draft at 19 years old. There’s an obvious niche for a big man who competes defensively and can score from the perimeter in so many different situations."
-Draft Express
Malik Monk SG
Age:19 Height:6’3″ Weight:197 Wingspan:6’3″ Standing Reach: 8’3″
19.8 Points 2.5 Rebounds 2.3 Assists 0.5 Blocks 0.9 Steals 21.7 PER
Malik Monk is probably the best pure scorer in this year’s draft. He may not last until the Timberwolves’ seventh pick but if he does he will surely make an intriguing option. While his height isn’t ideal, he can make up for it with his athleticism.
Strengths
- ultra-quick
- elite athleticism and hops
- great shooter from NBA range
- can make great passes at times
Weaknesses
- decision-making
- passing
- off-ball defense
- strength
Comparison
Ray Allen, Lou Williams, Zach LaVine
Projected Range
3-7
What to expect on the Timberwolves
"Among the most productive freshman in the country, Monk stood out among an elite group of one-and-done players for much of the year, having a number of brilliant moments for John Calipari’s Wildcats. Growing a bit more enigmatic late in the year, Monk would disappear for stretches before knocking down a few shots, seeming content to let the game come to him at times. While there is no questioning Monk’s talent, especially as a shot maker, it will be his ability to grow into a more versatile scorer and all-around player that will determine just how successful he can be at the next level. Plenty of players in his mold have transitioned into competent lead guards in time, but Monk’s tremendous athletic ability seems to give him more upside than most if he can grow into an identity as a scoring point guard."
-Draft Express
Jayson Tatum SF
Age:19 Height:6’8″ Weight:204 Wingspan:6’11” Standing Reach:8’11”
16.8 Points 7.3 Rebounds 2.1 Assists 1.1 Blocks 1.3 Steals 22.4 PER
Jayson Tatum was a top five recruit coming out of high school and didn’t disappoint for Duke last year. Tatum is more of an isolation scorer and doesn’t fit the best with the Minnesota Timberwolves. His biggest asset, scoring, is something the Wolves have plenty of.
Strengths
- above average athlete
- great scorer
- savvy ball handler
- good shooting touch
- NBA body
- great midrange game
Weaknesses
- defense
- inconsistent focus
- court vision
- 3-point shot
- ball hog
Comparison
Danny Granger, Paul Pierce, Rudy Gay
Projected Range
1-6
What to expect on the Timberwolves
"Jayson Tatum remains one of the more unique players in this draft, with an advanced array of offensive moves, high skill level, and a physical profile that affords him considerable potential, and versatility, on the defensive end as well. While this keeps Tatum’s floor relatively high, there’s still some question about exactly what his role will be at the next level. Can he continue to hone his offensive game to the point where he can develop into a high-level, efficient, shot creator for both himself and his teammates? If not, can he continue to refine his off-ball skills to be a more consistent shooter on the perimeter, and thus a more effective secondary offensive option? These are the questions NBA decision makers will be tasked with figuring out over the next few months as they try to pin down exactly what Tatum’s ceiling is."
-Draft Express
Mock Draft predictions for the Minnesota Timberwolves
Bleacher Report’s Paul Kasabian: Jonathan Isaac
CBS’ Gary Parrish: Jonathan Isaac
CBS’ Reid Forgrave: Malik Monk
DraftExpress: Jonathan Isaac
ESPN’s Chad Ford: Jonathan Isaac
The Ringer: Jonathan Isaac
Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Sharp: Jonathan Isaac
Next: Trade ideas for the Timberwolves 7th pick
As you can see, basically everyone has the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting Jonathan Isaac. I applaud Mr. Forgrave mixing his mock draft up as he certainly has different predictions than most of the experts out there.