Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking top Wolves’ draft picks of the 2010s
No. 7 to No. 5: To Be Determined (and Lazar Hayward)
7. Jarrett Culver (No. 6 pick, 2019)
Notables passed on: Coby White (No. 7), Rui Hachimura (No. 9), Cam Reddish (No. 10)
We’ve discussed Jarrett Culver’s ups and downs from his rookie season extensively here at Dunking with Wolves.
Defensively, he was around league average according to most, as well as statistically with a Defensive PIPM of -0.04. But with shooting splits of 40 percent from the field, 30 percent on threes and 46 percent on free throws, he has a lot of work to do to become efficient on offense.
If Culver can make sizable improvements to his jumper the rest of his game should make him a valuable role player, so this pick’s value is still “to be determined”.
6. Lazar Hayward (No. 30 pick, 2010)
Notables passed on: Tibor Pleiss (No. 31), Dexter Pittman (No. 32), Hassan Whiteside (No. 32)
Hayward played in 42 games as a rookie, averaging 3.8 points per game. He was traded to Washington the following summer for two second-round picks and Robert Vaden.
After a year and a half bouncing around the league, he was actually re-acquired by Minnesota but lasted just 18 days before being released.
Other than Whiteside, the Wolves didn’t pass on too many longterm NBA players with this pick.
5. Josh Okogie (No. 20 pick, 2018)
Notables passed on: Grayson Allen (No. 21), Aaron Holiday (No. 23), Landry Shamet (No. 26)
Josh Okogie has improved in just about every other area during his sophomore campaign, but his 3-point percentage dropped from 28 percent down to 27.
Still, the energy that Okogie brings on defense along with his rebounding and cutting abilities made him a solid value pick at No. 20.
Year three is often the year that players make their biggest jumps in terms of development. Let’s hope Okogie can improve his shooting and play himself into the “Draft Steals” category…