Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Mock drafts, top 20 at No. 20

Mock drafts from around the internet are being updated more frequently with the NBA Draft approaching quickly. Plus, the best players ever selected with the No. 20 pick that the Minnesota Timberwolves possess.

We’re officially within two weeks of the 2018 NBA Draft, and the mock drafts are coming hot and heavy.

We first summarized some of the mock drafts from around the internet here, and provided an update on some of the more popular versions here. There have been plenty of names bandied about for the Timberwolves at No. 20 … a lot can happen between the first part of the first round and latter half, after all.

There are plenty of wing players that figure to be drafted somewhere between the late lottery and the early 20s, from Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith to Ohio State’s Keita Bates-Diop to Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo.

Now, let’s take a look at Zach Harper’s take over at FRZ Hoops.

With Kevin Huerter, Dzanan Musa, and Bates-Diop all still on the board — all three of those players were mocked to Minnesota in at least one of the above-linked drafts — Harper selected Creighton’s Khyri Thomas for the Wolves.

Thomas is only six-foot-three and is primarily a spot-up shooter on offense. He’s also already 22 years old, so the upside is limited somewhat. But he does have a 6′-10″ wingspan and shot 406. percent on 3-point attempts in his college career.

While he would be a nice fit at No. 20, it’s tough to see how he would be a better selection than a more well-rounded player such as Bates-Diop or a higher upside play that could still help immediately on offense like Huerter or Musa. But there should be a few wings to pick from near the bottom of the first round, and Thomas would certainly bring some much-needed long-range shooting to the Wolves roster.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony still has the Wolves selecting Bates-Diop.

Over at Timberwolves.com, the Wolves have put together a fun piece listing the top 20 players drafted 20th overall in NBA history.

Notably, No. 17, Tony Snell, was drafted by Tom Thibodeau’s Chicago Bulls. Also, Tony Campbell, who came in at No. 8, was a member of the first-ever Timberwolves team back in 1989-90. Current NBA veteran Jameer Nelson made the list, as did longtime Cavalier big man Zydrunas Ilgauskas. We’ll leave the top-ranking layer on the list for your reading, but your hint is that he’s the father of a current NBAer.

Next: Solving the Timberwolves' depth issues

We’ll continue our pre-draft coverage throughout the weekend. Keep it tuned to Dunking With Wolves, folks.