Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 prospects to target at No. 17 in NBA Draft

Saddiq Bey, Wing, Villanova

Saddiq Bey is another prototypical 3-and-D player, with the size, intelligence, and shooting ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor immediately in the NBA.

Bey shot 41.8 percent on 306 total 3-point attempts over two seasons at Villanova, including 45.1 percent last season on 5.6 attempts per game. His shooting form isn’t quite as pure as Nesmith’s, but it isn’t bad and will only need a tweak or two to improve his release point.

Bey stands 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He plays hard and has enough athleticism to guard multiple positions defensively; Bey should be highly switchable at the NBA level, which is something that the Wolves look for in the players that they target.

He’s also an underrated playmaker, using his blend of size and athleticism to make the right pass at the right time in the halfcourt offense. While he won’t put the ball on the floor and beat his defender to the rim, Bey will find an open teammate or drain a jumper off the dribble enough to keep the defense honest and allow him space to rise and fire from deep.

Bey also plays well within the team concept on defense, and his 6-foot-8 height suggests he could play some small-ball 4 in the NBA.

For the Wolves, Bey would probably be placed in a similar role as Jake Layman: a rotation player who can come in and play the 3 or the 4 depending on matchups, and will be asked to guard one of the better wing players on the opposing team.

Bey is another prospect whose stock seems to be rising in the weeks leading up to the draft, and it’s questionable whether or not he’ll still be on the board at No. 17. But, if he is, the Wolves would be well-served to pounce.