Minnesota Timberwolves 2019 NBA Draft Big Board

No. 20 – Jalen McDaniels  | SF | San Diego State

Grade: 79 | Fit: A

Age: 21.3 | Height: 6-foot-10 | Wingspan: 7-feet

Best strength: Defensive versatility

Biggest weakness: Frame

Potential role: Lockdown defensive weapon for the second unit.

Synopsis: McDaniels will be a good 3 and D player for a long time in the NBA. He shot only 32 percent from deep, but the stroke is definitely there. He’ll have to improve his low-post game if he wants to bully smaller defenders, but I am confident that Jalen will be a productive role player within his first two seasons in the NBA.

No. 19 – Kevin Porter Jr.  | SG | Southern California

Grade: 80 | Fit: B

Age: 19.1 | Height: 6-foot-6 | Wingspan: 6-foot-9

Best strength: Three-level scoring

Biggest weakness: On-ball defense

Potential role: Microwave two-guard that can get hot and score points in a hurry off the bench.

Synopsis: Like Bol Bol, I believe that Porter is one of the 10 most talented guys in this draft class. He averaged only 9.5 points per game in his lone season at USC, but do not let that number fool you. He can fill it up off the bench for a team next season. He shot 41.2 percent from deep, but struggled at the line, shooting just 52.2 percent. He is undisciplined on defense and will need grooming on that end, but his offensive potential is limitless. He is this low on the Big Board because many scouts have questioned his maturity and work ethic, which should be pretty concerning to a front office with the 11th pick.

No. 18 – Chuma Okeke  | SF | Auburn

Grade: 81 | Fit: B+

Age: 20.8 | Height: 6-foot-8 | Wingspan: 7-foot

Best strength: Offensive IQ

Biggest weakness: Durability

Potential role: Out until March, but he would be a solid 3 and D backup for RoCo and Wiggins.

Synopsis: Okeke will likely be out until March, but projects to be an awesome defender and shooter in the NBA. At 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, he has an NBA-ready body. If you watch his tape, you will quickly see that he does a great job finding spots off the ball according to where the ball-handler goes, which led to tons of open 3’s in his sophomore season at Auburn. He will be one of the 10 best players from this draft in five years.

No. 17 – Matisse Thybulle  | SG | Washington

Grade: 81 | Fit: A-

Age: 22.3 | Height: 6-foot-5 | Wingspan: 7-foot

Best strength: Defensive versatility

Biggest weakness: Inconsistent shooting

Potential role: Great rotational wing that can guard the best player for the opposing second unit.

Synopsis: Thybulle was the 2018-19 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, thanks to his 2.3 blocks per game and 3.5 steals per game. He plays his tail off on both ends of the floor and shot 35.8 percent from deep over his four seasons at Washington, despite shooting a poor 30.5 percent clip in his senior season. Thybulle played in a zone defense for Mike Hopkins, which has led some scouts to wonder about his man-to-man defense. Make no mistake about it, Matisse will be a lockdown defender early on in his NBA career.

No. 16 – Goga Bitadze  | C | Georgia (country)

Grade: 82 | Fit: C+

Age: 19.9 | Height: 6-foot-11 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2

Best strength: Low-post scoring

Biggest weakness: Athleticism

Potential role: Backup center that can rebound on both ends and facilitate down on the block.

Synopsis: Bitadze is a bully down low on the block, who uses a solid arsenal of post moves to score in the post. He can also step out behind the arc and shoot the 3-point shot a little bit, but he’ll need to develop that more as he enters the NBA. His athleticism is less than stellar, so his defensive upside is not as high as other bigs in this draft, but his offensive upside and age warrant a good look from NBA teams.