Minnesota Timberwolves Draft: Saddiq Bey or Patrick Williams?
Offensive Impact
While Saddiq Bey is a much more developed offensive player than Patrick Williams is at this point, Williams has shown legitimate potential.
Bey’s a bit older at 20 years of age. Williams is 18 and one of the youngest players in the draft. Both were contributors for powerhouse college programs: Bey as a sophomore and primary option for Villanova, and Williams as a freshman sixth-man for Florida State.
In a draft full of role players, Bey stands out as perhaps one of the safest bets to be an NBA contributor. He was a two-year starter for Villanova, and in year two he became the Wildcats’ leading scorer, averaging 16.1 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field, 45 percent on threes, and 77 percent from the line.
His shooting form looks solid, and he also ranked in the 98th percentile on spot-up jumpers this year according to Synergy. There don’t seem to be many red flags in regard to his ability to be a high-level NBA 3-point shooter.
Bey is not much of a playmaker, as he only averaged 2.4 assists per game this year and lacks the quick first step to be dynamic, but he’s a smart player who could be a solid ball mover and passer.
Patrick Williams shows a lot of the same qualities, he’s just a lot less developed than Bey. Williams averaged 9.2 points per game this year on 46 percent from the field, 32 percent on threes and 84 percent from the line.
He didn’t shoot a ton of threes, averaging just 1.7 in 23 minutes per game, but his form is solid, and his high free throw percentage indicates good touch. His footwork when spotting up looks a bit awkward at times, but that should be very fixable. It’s worth noting that he’s only 18 years old and still developing in terms of coordination.
But physically, Williams has an ideal frame at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. He has the strength to battle inside and a surprising fluidity that allows him to move and cut well and create off the dribble every once in a while. He could end up being the rare forward who’s a threat both as a roller and in the pick-and-pop.
But, if we’re talking about which guy has the best chance to contribute right away for Minnesota, it should be Bey. Williams projects as a shooter, but Bey already is one, and that alone might give him the edge.
Advantage: Bey.