Wolves select SG Jaylen Clark: Instant reaction and analysis

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the 2023 NBA Draft with just one pick, a late selection in Round 2 as the 53rd overall pick. But the Timberwolves did not sit on their hands in this one and were quick to jump into the draft at the 33rd overall pick to land a projected first-round prospect in forward Leonard Miller. Initially, the thought was that the Timberwolves exhausted their 2023 NBA Draft picks to make the 33rd pick happen.

Imagine my surprise after learning that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be back on the board to make their selection at the 53rd overall pick as well. So when the Minnesota Timberwolves stepped up to the podium, my checklist was already good to go.

With the 53rd overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select UCLA shooting guard Jaylen Clark.

The Minnesota Timberwolves landed one of, if not the best, defenders in this draft.  He suffered an Achilles Tendon injury at the end of the 2022-23 NBA season, so he will likely be a player who will need plenty of rehabilitation before we see him on the basketball court.  But this is a young man whose development was at a rapid pace throughout his NCAA basketball career.

If you like defense, you will love what Jaylen Clark brings to the basketball court. He is a dependable scorer and rebounder but is completely light’s out in terms of getting steals. In his final season at UCLA, he averaged an impressive 2.6 steals per game.

Of course, there are questions about how quickly and completely he will recover from his injury, but choosing him at the 53rd overall pick gives the Minnesota Timberwolves plenty of wiggle room in terms of how quickly they need to get him onto the basketball court.

I love this selection. Jaylen Clark brings incredible defense to the Minnesota Timberwolves and has the versatility to grow into a true 3-and-D type of player. What are your thoughts? Do you like this selection?