Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 places Wolves rookies will help on defense

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves battles for position. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

On-Ball Defense

Okogie displayed incredible activity in one-on-one situations in Las Vegas. He was a deflection machine at Ohio State, too.

Multiple efforts: the key for getting more minutes with Thibs. He recovers after the pick-and-roll, being there to make the catch difficult for Carter. The Wolves need guys who are able to come back for trying to steal an inside pocket pass.

Additionally, he could fit really well with Butler on offense for 12-15 minutes per game as a rookie. Okogie is not yet a great creator (when he takes one or more dribbles on pull-up shots, he averaged 0.441 points per possession, which would be in the ninth percentile per Synergy), however, in 54 no-dribble (spot-up) possessions, he averaged 1.37 PPP — the 90th percentile. He does have potential as a spot-up shooter, however.

Bates-Diop’s length is the most fascinating physical tools for the Wolves. He covers up quite a bit of distance in just one or two steps and could work fine with Towns on defense due to positional fit (at the four or five, with Towns better-suited as a five) and his wingspan.

Ex-Wolf Bjelica simply didn’t bring the same length to the table as KBD. Bates-Diop covers up the 16-17 foot distance quickly after running out and hedging.

Both of these guys will bring a lot to the table in this category.