Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 places Wolves rookies will help on defense

Post Defense

Here is where Wolves had their best results defensively, but looking for new post-up fighters is always good.

And while Bates-Diop will be a bit undersized to guard many fours and Okogie is primarily a wing, both players are impressive when it comes to battling in the paint.

Okogie can defend and deny catches for legitimate 7-footers. His verticality helped him quite a bit when it came to contesting shots in the paint in college, too. And if he brings Butler-like toughness every night, he’ll be able to hold his own in the majority of scenarios in which he finds himself.

Bates-Diop allowed only 0.683 points per post-up possession (76th percentile) in college, and  his standing reach is on-par with some NBA centers. The question remains, of course, whether or not he can ever have an impact against NBA centers near the rim.

But either way, the ability to take away the post option from smaller players and hold his own against NBA fours will be valuable, to be sure.

Next: A 3-team trade idea for the Timberwolves

At any rate, the Timberwolves certainly appear to have acquired a pair of solid defenders in this year’s draft. Let’s wait and see how Thibodeau and the coaching staff utilize them as rookies.