3 Trade up prospects for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Player #2: Shaedon Sharpe (Guard/Kentucky)

The next player the Timberwolves could consider trading up for would likely come with a higher price tag. Kentucky shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe is generally considered a fringe Top-10 talent in this class, making a move up from 19 a bit more challenging. Nevertheless, Sharpe brings upside at the two-guard spot that could make a deal worth it.

Sharpe’s elite-level athleticism and offensive upside offer a chance to get what the franchise had hoped to get out of Malik Beasley. He has not played a competitive game since high school, making him a virtual unknown in this draft. He has a huge wingspan, a powerful and muscular build, and a fierce mindset.

He is extremely raw and will need plenty of work installing an adequate shot arsenal, ball handling, and NBA-level play-making. That could happen quickly or could take all season, to accomplish.

He was a top-ranked high school recruit, and nothing he has done or hasn’t done has derailed him from that high regard. He is the poster child of high-risk/high-reward as he has not played at all on the NCAA basketball stage. But the Timberwolves have already gone on record to claim they will be very aggressive. If Tim Connelly trades up to select Shaedon Sharpe, that is exactly how that will appear.

This kind of high upside at the back end of the lottery to pair with Anthony Edwards at the opposite wing would be hard to pass up. Concerns about Sharpe not playing this past season and a lack of intensity at times could make Sharpe fall a bit within the early first round. The price on a deal to go get him could keep the Timberwolves making the move, but should Sharpe fall too far, he could end up in Minnesota.