After being eliminated from playoff contention, the Minnesota Timberwolves now shift their attention to the offseason, starting with the NBA Draft. The Wolves hold the 17th and 31st picks, giving them an opportunity to find some high-quality young talent. Finding young players who can contribute will be essential for the Wolves this offseason due to their high payroll and pending free agency class.
Throughout their Western Conference Finals matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota's lack of playmaking and point guard depth was a key problem. With Mike Conley at 37 years old, upgrading this position would be logical.
BYU's Egor Demin is a perfect target for the Wolves if he falls in the draft. During his lone season at BYU, Demin averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 41.2/27.3/69.5 shooting splits. The 6-foot-8 point guard is a brilliant passer which gives him a clear bankable NBA skill. Demin can contribute immediately while offering immense upside. Let's dive into Demin's skill set and fit with the Timberwolves.
Demin is an elite playmaker
Demin has a strong case as the best playmaker in the draft. He is capable of making any pass imaginable including lobs, kickouts, and one-mores. Demin's court vision and decision-making are crucial to his impact as a passer. In addition to his 5.5 assists per game, Demin posted an impressive 34.6% assist rate. He has a smooth handle and thrives in the pick-n-roll. Demin's size gives him a significant advantage over other guards, and he is always able to see over the defense and make the right read. At BYU this allowed him to handle defensive pressure.
Having a playmaker with elite size would give the Wolves a new element. Additionally, Demin's size fits in with the Wolves' versatile identity. The Wolves should also be looking at 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham to have a bigger role next season. Regardless, the two guards can co-exist together given their different playstyles and size. Demin playing a point forward role with the Wolves is just as intriguing as him being a lead guard. In different lineups, Demin would play both of these roles with Minnesota. Watching how Demin's playmaking presence would benefit Anthony Edwards is an exciting possibility.
There are only a handful of players on the planet capable of making the type of pick-and-roll reads Egor Demin effortlessly executes, making the game easy for teammates throwing high-velocity skips, touch passes, over the shoulder feeds and no-look live-dribble darts. pic.twitter.com/qF7MHR0PnZ
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 20, 2025
Demin isn't a perfect player but he's a perfect fit with the Wolves
Demin's scoring is an area of concern for many scouts. His size and strength allow him to be a good finisher at the rim. Regardless, Demin lacks the speed and athleticism needed to generate rim pressure consistently. Notably, Demin's 32-inch vertical was the second lowest among guards at the NBA combine.
Perhaps the biggest concern for Demin is his poor 3-point shooting, as he shot just 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. Demin has solid fundamentals, but it's unclear if it will ever result in a consistent jumper. Nevertheless, the Timberwolves won't be counting on Demin to be a lead shot-creator or a 3-pointer shooter. With floor spacing and scoring options around him, the Wolves would allow Demin to playmake at a high level while covering up his deficiencies. It's still possible Demin develops a jump shot in that case he'd have star-level upside.
Defensively, Demin isn't elite, but his size allows him to guard multiple positions. His size and strength allow him to disrupt opposing offensive players. Furthermore, Demin is a quality off-ball defender capable of playing the passing lanes as evidenced by his 1.2 steals a game. Demin is a quality rebounder as well. Overall, Demin would be an ideal fit with Minnesota's versatile defense.
Demin is a realistic target for the Wolves
Demin is undoubtedly a lottery talent. However, questions about his shot creation and shooting abilities could cause him to fall out of the lottery. Moreover, his unique skill set makes him a tough fit on certain teams. Like so many players in the draft, Demin's effectiveness as an NBA player will be in large part determined by the team who drafts him.
The Wolves would be an ideal landing spot for Demin given their elite overall talent and the role they'd expect him to play. Offensively, he would provide steady ball handling and crafty playmaking. Defensively, he'd be expected to guard multiple positions and wreak havoc off the ball. Ultimately, if Demin is available when the Wolves are on the clock with the 17th pick expect him to be at the top of their board.