Few in number, the Minnesota Timberwolves 2023 rookie draft class will not be difficult to keep track of. But what is there about a pair of rookies to add a positive feeling to the Timberwolves fans? This was a draft that witnessed some teams dance up and down their draft board with a sense that other NBA teams were almost bending to their will.
Still, you have to hand it to the Timberwolves front office, particularly Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly. This was the type of draft that felt better and better as the night wore on. Rather than reach for a player or position, the Timberwolves clearly brought their A-game to the 2023 NBA Draft. No move was enough to splash the headlines over the Timberwolves’ uncanny ability to sniff out a true bargain.
The Timberwolves drafted G-League Ignite forward Leonard Miller with the 33rd overall pick and then drafted UCLA guard Jaylen Clark with the 53rd overall pick.
- G-League Ignite F Leonard Miller
– 6-foot-10
– 7-foot-2 wingspan
– Very athletic
– Former guard who grew
– First-round projection (20-25)
– Can score points and dominates the boards for rebounds - UCLA G Jaylen Clark
– 6-foot-5
– 6-foot-9 wingspan
– Defensive Player of the Year
– High first-round projection before Achilles injury
– Incredible cutpurse, averaged 2.6 steals per game
– Solid ball-handling skills
The Timberwolves did not focus on positional needs per se but attacked the 2023 NBA Draft with a specific strategy in mind. But what about the depth at point guard? At center? Believe it or not, those needs are already addressed on the Timberwolves roster.
Where the Timberwolves lacked in the 2022-23 NBA season was the ability to scrap all over the basketball court. The team was particularly vulnerable to a lack of energy at times, a team that seemed to show up in form, but be shaking off the cobwebs that could last into the second half of some games. So how well do you feel that the Timberwolves addressed that in this year’s draft? Here are our thoughts: