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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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#2 – Khyri Thomas, SG

This pick becomes more likely when consider that Thomas was a former teammate of Justin Patton, and a pairing of those two could do big things for the Timberwolves’ bench. Thomas just completed his junior season at Creighton, and after a modest first season had two productive years.

Last season, Thomas averaged 15.1 points, 2.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals, starting all of his 33 appearances. Thomas is also a 2x winner of the Big East defensive player of the year award, despite being a modest height for a shooting guard at only 6’3″.

Thomas’ big draw for the Timberwolves is his shooting, particularly from 3-point range, which combined with his defense should assert him as a solid 3-and-D player throughout his career.

Throughout last season, Thomas shot 64% from the field, including 41% from 3-point range. The Timberwolves’ struggles from three-point range could be aided with the addition of Thomas, particularly as Bjelica is a free agent this offseason.

I can also see Thomas filling Bjelica’s role as the stand-in starter in case Jimmy Butler goes down with an injury again next season. For his rookie season Thomas will be 22 years old, making him only just younger than Karl-Anthony Towns. His extra time in college will likely have helped mature his game and approach, and Thomas could be a really solid addition to the Wolves’ bench.