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Minnesota Timberwolves draft another franchise cornerstone in Jarrett Culver with the sixth overall pick

By Nick Crain

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders grabs a rebound against the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2019 NCAA Photos via Getty Imagess via Getty Images men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Imagess via Getty Images Photos via Getty Images via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders grabs a rebound against the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2019 NCAA Photos via Getty Imagess via Getty Images men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Imagess via Getty Images Photos via Getty Images via Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves made a huge move in trading up for the No. 6 overall pick and selecting future superstar, Jarrett Culver.

Less than three hours before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves made a major splash. As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, they traded the No. 11 overall pick along with forward Dario Saric for the No. 6 overall pick from the Phoenix Suns.

This was a statement move made by the brand new Minnesota front office led by Gersson Rosas, President of Basketball Operations. While we speculated over the past few weeks who the Timberwolves would take with the No. 11 pick, it was all for nothing.

When it came down to it, this was a trade that had to be made. In the 2018-19 season, Saric played in 68 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds on 38.3 percent 3-point shooting. Although Saric is a great young player, drafting someone in the top six of the NBA Draft gives you a chance at selecting a franchise-altering player.

With the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves ultimately decided to select Jarrett Culver out of Texas Tech. Last season, he produced 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals. He did it all on both ends of the floor, showing he could score the basketball as well as defend at a high level. He was one of the main reasons Texas Tech made it to the 2019 NCAA National Championship Game.

Culver should presumably be an immediate starter for the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the ability to play multiple positions, the Timberwolves will find a way for both Culver and Andrew Wiggins to play at the same time.  Jarrett Culver was projected to potentially be selected as high as fourth overall leading up to the draft, so getting him at sixth was a huge pickup for Minnesota.

Next. Minnesota Timberwolves’ Josh Okogie is primed to have an excellent season. dark

Just a two-year college player, Jarrett Culver is just 20 years old. Standing at 6’5, he could be able to play both shooting guard and small forward at the NBA level. Culver’s floor seems to be a solid 3-and-D player, with a ceiling of being the face of the franchise alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.