2. Timberwolves draft Lauri Markkanen
As I predicted in the previous slide, Isaac will be gone before the seventh pick. That leaves Minnesota with the potential to grab a couple of different intriguing options. Malik Monk, Dennis Smith Jr, Zach Collins and Lauri Markkanen all come to mind.
Monk would give Minnesota the scoring boost they so desperately need of their bench. He is a dynamic and lightning-quick guard who can score from anywhere on the floor. He would give Minnesota instant offense. His height, 6-foot-3, makes scouts pause as that is not ideal for a shooting guard. Scouts are also unsure if he can develop into a point guard as he does not currently have those skills.
Smith Jr is another intriguing option at this stage in the draft. His talent might suggest that he goes around the seventh pick, however, Minnesota already has a roster loaded with point guards. Although it’s unlikely they select Smith at this position, we can’t cross him entirely off our list yet.
Collins is sort of the opposite of Smith in terms of talent and where he should be selected. Talent-wise Collins is better suited for the 10-12 range but due to his skillset and the Timberwolves’ needs, they will almost certainly give him a look come draft night.
Given the question marks surrounding those three players, Markkanen rises as the obvious choice. He is a seven-footer who can shoot from outside and put the ball on the deck and take his man off the dribble. He’s also an adequate rebounder and will be somewhat ready to contribute to the Wolves next year.
His defense is a major liability as he didn’t show he could guard players down low or on the perimeter at Arizona. The hope is that Towns will be much-improved on defense next year and can help masks some of Markkanen’s weaknesses as a Markkanen-Towns frontcourt is extremely appealing on the offensive side of the floor.