With the NBA Draft approaching, teams are trying to evaluate what players to target. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a loaded free agency class, which puts the future of several key players into question. Naz Reid is one player who has an unclear future with the Wolves. However, Michigan's Danny Wolf (ironic last name) provides a unique offensive skill set that could fill the void Reid may leave behind.
Wolf averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 49.7/33.6/59.4 shooting splits during his junior season at Michigan en route to earning All-Big Ten honors. He spent the previous two seasons at Yale. Let's dive into Wolf's skill set and fit with Minnesota.
Wolf is arguably the most unique player in the draft
Wolf is 6-foot-11 but played somewhat of a point guard role in college. His uncanny court vision and basketball IQ allow him to make a variety of passes. Wolf truly did it all, handling the ball in pick-and-roll situations, throwing deep passes in transition, and kicking it out to open shooters while he was in the paint. In addition to his 3.6 assists per game, he posted a 22.8 assist percentage.
Next to Tre Donaldson, Wolf was Michigan's main ball handler, which is rare to see from someone of his size. Wolf's knack for ball handling also allows him to create shots for himself at a higher rate. Impressively, Michigan posted a 25.7 net rating with Wolf on the court via Hoop-Explorer. Overall, Wolf's playmaking gives him an avenue to make an immediate impact and plenty of upside.
While Wolf's critics point to his 3.2 turnovers as a concern, his responsibilities within the offense must be considered. In the NBA, Wolf won't have the same level of ball-handling responsibilities. Still, his able to create shots for others and handle the ball would be valuable, especially on a Wolves team that lacks playmaking. With fewer responsibilities, the best of Wolf's playmaking would be highlighted. Reid's main value is as a shot creator and floor spacer, however, Minnesota still depends on him for playmaking. Wolf can also replicate his shot-creation and spacing abilities.
As a result, Wolf would be an ideal replacement for Reid. It remains fairly likely that Reid stays, and it's possible the two could co-exist. Wolf might not play a ton in his rookie year in this scenario, but he could learn behind a similar player. In the long term, why not have multiple players with size and playmaking abilities? The league is trending toward having as many ball handlers as possible, making players like Wolf more valuable.
The rest of Wolf's game
In addition to Wolf's playmaking and self-creation abilities, his floor spacing is intriguing. Wolf only shot 33.6 percent from beyond the arc on 2.4 attempts for his college career. However, his fundamentals are solid, and defenses respect him as a shooter. This ability to at least space the floor is valuable, and he could develop into a better shooter.
Wolf's rebounding is a plus; he averaged a Big-Ten leading 9.7 boards this past season. Being a high-level rebounder is always a beneficial skill. Wolf's main flaws are his lack of quickness and defense. NBA teams will undoubtedly try to target Wolf, and it's unclear if he'll be able to hold up. Nevertheless, the rest of Wolf's game offers enough immediate impact and upside to make up for his defensive deficiencies. Playing next to an elite defense and Rudy Gobert's rim protection would help Wolf.
Is Wolf a realistic target for the Wolves?
Wolf is a projected mid-first-round pick, making him a realistic target for Minnesota. Sure, a team may grab him in the late lottery or at 15/16. But, Wolf will likely be on the board at 17. If the Wolves aren't confident in their ability to re-sign Naz Reid, Wolf would be a logical selection. Even if they keep Reid, it's possible the two could co-exist. Ultimately, Wolf's rare combination of size, shot-creation, and playmaking will make him a clear target for the Wolves.