NBA Draft: 5 options for the Minnesota Timberwolves at pick No. 20

5. Kevin Huerter, G/F, Maryland

While the Timberwolves need wings, it also feels as though they need an element of versatility off the bench in addition to a fix for the already-identified dearth of shooting ability.

Huerter checks the latter of the above boxes, but not necessarily the former.

The former Terrapin played two seasons at the University of Maryland and showed solid improvement from his freshman to sophomore seasons. After shooting 37.1 percent from beyond the arc in his first year, Huerter improved to a fantastic 41.7 percent from 3-point range in year two. His true shooting percentage jumped from 55.4 as a freshman to 64 percent as a sophomore as he got to the free throw line more frequently and converted both there and beyond the arc at a higher rate.

Huerter is a solid passer and can be a good off-the-ball offensive player. His turnover rate was a bit high, but he also took a number of unnecessary risks while trying to be a facilitator.

At six-foot-six, it would have been nice to see Huerter pull down more than five rebounds per game; his rebounding rate actually decreased from his freshman to sophomore seasons. His wingspan is only 6′-7.5″, and he did have some defensive issues in the Big Ten.

He’s a good athlete, and finished tied for fourth at the NBA Draft Combine in the shuttle run, just behind Lonnie Walker IV of Miami.

Because of his decent handle and above-average passing ability, Huerter profiles as someone who could potentially play some shooting guard at the NBA level if he’s able to defend and stay in front of his counterpart on a nightly basis. His best fit is probably at small forward, however.

Here’s a montage of Huerter’s defense…

While he does a good job slowing down smaller guards, it’s mainly because of the problems that his length causes, plus Huerter’s above-average awareness and defensive savvy and positioning for a sophomore in college. But even in some of the plus-plays above, Huerter succeeds because of his size advantage, despite being beat on the initial attack. That won’t often be the case in the NBA.

Huerter would be a fine pick for the Timberwolves at No. 20. But there are four better options that could be in play…