Ranking the Minnesota Timberwolves’ top trade chips: Jarrett Culver
No. 2: Jarrett Culver
Properly valuing a second-year player who was a high lottery pick and is coming off a disappointing rookie season is always a difficult exercise.
However, there are a few qualities about Jarrett Culver that could lead us to believe that he still retains real trade value.
While there weren’t too many bright spots in Culver’s rookie season, his track record suggests that improvement is on the horizon. Check out his Year One to Year Two improvement at Texas Tech, including his field goal, 3-point, and free throw shooting percentages:
- 11.2 points per game, .455/.382/.648, 13.7% assist rate, 13.3% turnover rate
- 18.5 points per game, .461/.304/.707, 26.1% assist rate, 13.7% turnover rate
Culver approved across the board from his freshman to sophomore season, save for his 3-point percentage. His shooting form shifted considerably, and there’s evidence that surfaced on social media that Culver’s continuing to tinker with his jumper.
Given his athleticism and the mentality that Culver approaches the game, it’s fair to assume that he’ll continue to improve his jump shot, even if it is only incrementally at first. The improvement in his free throw percentage from his first to second year in college is a good sign as well.
In his sophomore year at Texas Tech, Culver led the Red Raiders offense and brought his team all the national championship team. Culver’s ability to run the offense and get to the basket and finish, combined with his length, athleticism, and defensive ability is what elevated him to a draft slot in the early lottery.
Culver’s shooting ability is the main concern with his game. But he also struggled with his decision-making within the offense as a rookie, finishing with a higher turnover rate than an assist rate.
Again, his rapid improvement in college, plus his size and athleticism and already-solid defense at the pro level all suggest that there’s plenty of potential yet untapped in the 21-year-old.
While his price tag ($6.1 million in 2020-21 and options of $6.4 million and $8.1 million in the following years) is high, there’s absolutely a handful of teams out there that would believe in Culver’s potential and view him as a plus asset.
This is where the Wolves need to be careful. If they hang onto Culver and he doesn’t clearly improve — or, worse, if he regresses — in Year Two as a professional, then his trade value would tank.
Rosas might be best-served to strike while Culver maintains something resembling a shiny, upside-filled prospect.