Lengthy two-way wing would fit like a glove with the Timberwolves

With the NBA Draft being one week away, teams are zeroing in on players to target. There has been no bigger riser in the NBA Draft than Cedric Coward. After posting an absurd 7-foot-2 wingspan and 38.5-inch vertical, Coward shot up draft boards, going from a second-round pick to a clear first-rounder. Paired with his 6-foot-6 height (with shoes), Coward has the ideal frame for an NBA wing and the best physical tools of any prospect in this class.

Coward played just six games at Washington State this past season after going down with a shoulder injury. However, he posted impressive averages of 17.7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 55.7/40/83.9 shooting splits. The 21-year-old wing has an ideal combination of safety and upside. Coward's two-way impact makes him a clear target for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Coward's impressive offensive skill set

Offensively, Coward's spot-up shooting gives him a high floor. He shot 40.6 percent of his catch-and-shoot attempts at the Division 1 level. Notably, Coward played his first season at Willamette University, a Division 3 school, before transferring to Eastern Washington for two seasons and later Washington State for a year. Coward's shot mechanics are fluid, and he is primed to be a knockdown shooter at the NBA level. This knack for spot-up shooting will allow Coward to thrive with any team.

In addition to Coward's spot-up shooting, he is a capable shot-creator. Coward gets to his spots with ease and scores with remarkable efficiency. Impressively, Coward's 66.7 percent mid-range shooting leads all draft prospects, and his 73.7 percent shooting at the rim is among the best in the class. Furthermore, his 70 percent true shooting percentage ranks third in the draft.

Coward's spot-up shooting gives him a high floor. But his ability to create shots and score at all three levels gives him immense upside. Coward's handle isn't elite by any means, but it's effective, and his knack for shot creation is clear. He also displays an excellent feel for the game and makes the right reads. This skill set projects Coward to be a highly impactful offensive player.

Coward's disruptive and versatile defense

Defensively, Coward uses his length and athleticism to be disruptive off-ball. He averaged 1.7 blocks and 0.7 steals in his short time at WSU. For his D1 career, he averaged 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks. Coward plays passing lanes well and quickly recovers to block shots. Additionally, he positions himself well for rebounds and crashes the glass with force. It's intriguing to think of how Coward's disruptive defense would fit alongside Jaden McDaniels.

On-ball Coward can guard multiple positions and is a high-level stopper. Being able to shut down players on the perimeter and wings will benefit him at the NBA level. Coward's ability to contain opponents on the ball is a clear strength. Notably, opposing players shot just 31.8 percent on jumpers when guarded by Coward. As a well-rounded two-way wing, Coward has similarities to Mikal Bridges and Jalen Williams. Coward's defensive skill set makes him a seamless fit with any team, including the Wolves.

Is Coward a realistic target for the Wolves?

With Nickeil Alexander-Walker's pending free agency, bolstering wing depth could be a priority for the Wolves. Coward's ability to make an immediate impact and high upside make him an ideal target for the Wolves. Furthermore, Minnesota has built its identity around defense and versatility, which perfectly suits Coward. As a projected late lottery to mid-first-round pick, it's feasible that Coward be available when the Wolves are on the clock at pick 17. Ultimately, if Coward falls to 17, he'd be an ideal pick for the Timberwolves.