NBA Mock Draft: Wolves take Minn native, Rockets get lucky
player. 86. . Guard. Minnesota Timberwolves. Jalen Suggs. 3
The Minnesota Timberwolves land the hometown kid in this scenario in Jalen Suggs, who is coming off of a downright spectacular season at Gonzaga as a freshman. Suggs, from St. Paul, averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists on one of the two best teams in the country, on shooting splits of 50/34/75.
NBA Mock Draft: Timberwolves take Jalen Suggs
While those splits don’t immediately jump off of the page, Suggs shot a high volume of threes at the college level as the primary backcourt option. It shouldn’t be a concern moving forward – but it is something to watch.
Suggs would be the perfect complementary fit in Minnesota alongside both Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. Theoretically, all three could start together along with D’Angelo Russell and Jaden McDaniels.
Suggs is a win-now player that should affect winning from the jump with his high-level defense, passing, and complementary offensive skill set (driving, athleticism, 3-level scoring). His ceiling is lower than that of Jalen Green, but that does not make him any less of a prospect. It would not be shocking to see the Timberwolves take Green here – but they should target the skill set that fits their team better given they already have so much scoring from virtually every position – particularly among the wings.
Another option for the Timberwolves, if neither Green nor Suggs interested them, could be to trade down, Jonathan Kuminga is still a high-level propsect that fits their team, if the team that had the fifth overall pick was interested in moving up. Additionally, other players fit at well – such as Scottie Barnes and Franz Wagner.