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Top 5 potential draft picks for the Timberwolves

By Cooper Langby

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Tom Thibodeau. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Tom Thibodeau. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers plays against Trent Forrest #3 of the Florida State Seminoles during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers plays against Trent Forrest #3 of the Florida State Seminoles during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

#1 – Jontay Porter, PF

While Michael Porter Jr. is being rated as a top-5 prospect for the NBA draft despite just three college appearances in Missouri, his younger brother Jontay has made a name for himself on the same team.

Now there’s a big chance that Jontay Porter may already be off the board by the time the Timberwolves’ get to make their pick, but anything can happen in the NBA draft, and Porter could provide a huge lift to the Wolves’ bench on both ends of the court.

In 33 appearances for the Tigers last season, the younger Porter made 7 starts, and averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game.

Porter’s Box Plus/Minus of 11.1 ranked third among Southeastern Conference players last season, while his Defensive Rating of 93.5 ranked second.

Porter’s defense alone would be a big boost for the Wolves’ backup, but his ability to attack the basket could help make the Timberwolves’ bench a viable option for Tom Thibodeau next season.

While Porter could fill the role of Center if needed, with this seasons’ rookie Justin Patton also on the roster Power Forward would certainly be more of a fit. On a lower-tier team, Porter could find his way into a starting role, but in Minnesota it’s most likely he would back up Taj Gibson from the bench, which will allow growth in his development while still being a major player in the Wolves’ second unit.

I can picture a Tyus Jones pass to Jontay Porter for a fast break slam already….

Personally, I quite like this pick and I can see Porter fitting into the Minnesota basketball culture well, although as previously mentioned this pick may not be around when the Wolves’ time comes.