Minnesota Timberwolves: Zach Collins pros and cons

Pro: Stretch four

The most pressing issues for the Timberwolves as they enter the off-season seem to be two things: increasing their 3-point shooting and finding a permanent solution at power forward. So naturally, most NBA predictions have the Timberwolves filling both of those holes on draft night. The most common names seen are the aforementioned Isaac and Markannen. But Collins fits the bill as well.

So naturally, most NBA predictions have the Timberwolves filling both of those holes on draft night. The most common names seen are the aforementioned Isaac and Markannen. But Collins fits the bill as well.

For many teams, playing Collins at power forward isn’t ideal. He’s big enough to play the center and many experts predict that’s where he’ll play in the NBA. But, most teams don’t have Karl-Anthony Towns.

As Jamie Tyler pointed out in a recent article, the new trend in the NBA is to be able to play small-ball while remaining tall.

Collins would give the Timberwolves the ability to do that. Having both him and Towns on the floor gives them the capacity to play five-out basketball.

This spacing allows Ricky Rubio to knife through the defense and either kick it out to his spot up shooters or find an excellent cutter like Andrew Wiggins who would have more room to operate in the paint. All the while still having two seven-footers on the floor.

Collins can also play in the post, giving the Wolves two different players to throw it into the paint to whenever they need a tough basket.

If the Wolves were able to stagger his and Towns’ minutes correctly, they could keep a low-post threat on the floor at all times.

While his athleticism may not be his calling card, Collins has shown the ability to be able to switch on to other stretch bigs and even forwards in a pinch. This versatility would allow the Wolves to play a more switching defensive style à la the Golden State Warriors.