Minnesota Timberwolves 2019 NBA Draft Big Board

No. 15 – Nassir Little  | SF | North Carolina

Grade: 83 | Fit: B+

Age: 19.3 | Height: 6-foot-6 | Wingspan: 7-foot-1

Best strength: Defensive versatility

Biggest weakness: Offensive decision-making

Potential role: Effective rebounder and wing defender off the bench.

Synopsis: A projected top-five pick in this draft coming out of high school, Little struggled to stay on the floor in his only season for Roy Williams in Chapel Hill. However, he showcased an ability to defend positions 1-4 and deflect passes, which will translate to the NBA. His offensive game was mediocre, as he shot just 26.9 percent from deep. Nassir has a good first step off the dribble and should develop on the offensive end as he ages, but I am not as big of a Little fan as many other Wolves fans.

No. 14 – Nicolas Claxton  | SF | Georgia

Grade: 84 | Fit: B-

Age: 20.1 | Height: 7-foot | Wingspan: 7-foot-3

Best strength: Playmaking

Biggest weakness: Frame/build

Potential role: Rotational, creative point-forward that can make plays off the dribble and in transition.

Synopsis: While Jay Bilas said Claxton should return to Georgia and play alongside top-five recruit Anthony Edwards, I think the point-forward is ready to make an impact in the NBA. He is a terrific playmaker who can pass effectively off the dribble and get into the lane better than most with his frame. He is a very agile defender but will need to get stronger in order to hold his ground against a bigger defender. He has one of the highest ceilings in this draft.

No. 13 – Jaxson Hayes  | C | Texas

Grade: 84 | Fit: C+

Age: 19.0 | Height: 7-foot | Wingspan: 7-foot-3

Best strength: Three-level defensive potential

Biggest weakness: Strength

Potential role: Backup center who can switch on the perimeter and guard 4s on the perimeter.

Synopsis: A former standout wide receiver, Hayes played less than 10 minutes per game as a junior in high school and is now a projected lottery pick. Jaxson has all the tools to be a productive shot blocker and force defenders to kick out of drives in the lane with his length. He has terrific hands, which should allow him to step in and be an effective rim-runner from day one. However, he is very thin and gets blasted on the backboards, so he will have to bulk up in order to reach his full potential.

No. 12 – Dylan Windler  | SF | Belmont

Grade: 85 | Fit: A+

Age: 22.7 | Height: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 6-foot-10

Best strength: Lights out mid-range and 3-point

Biggest weakness: Gambles on defense and with passing

Potential role: Seventh-man 3 and D player that can immediately space the floor for Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) and Andrew Wiggins.

Synopsis: Simply put, Windler is the most slept-on player in this year’s draft. I cannot see him being a bust and believe he has one of the highest floors of any 2019 draft prospect. He is a lights-out shooter from deep, can create his own shot off the dribble, has solid instincts on defense, holds his own on the glass, moves very well without the ball, has good footwork, and is a great passer from the perimeter. He has a tendency to gamble a little too much on defense and with his passes, and only shot but overall, there are very few weaknesses in his game.

No. 11 – PJ Washington  | PF | Kentucky

Grade: 85 | Fit: B

Age: 20.8 | Height: 6-foot-8 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2

Best strength: Three-level scoring

Biggest weakness:  Post moves

Potential role: Small-ball 4 off the bench that can be a mismatch for larger 4s and smaller 3s.

Synopsis: I saw PJ play in person a handful of times in high school when he was at Findlay Prep and it is crazy to see how far he has come. He drastically improved his 3-point shot this past season for Coach Cal, shooting 42.3 percent from deep. Washington is one of the best all-around scorers in the draft and is a solid defender. He can be a mismatch for smaller 3s and bigger 4s, but he will have to add to his post moves if he wants to fully take advantage of being a tweener.