Excitement is in the air, with just three weeks away from the NBA Draft. The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the 17th and 35th picks. Undoubtedly, the Wolves will have a wide range of targets. One of the most intriguing prospects who could be available at No. 17 is Arizona's Carter Bryant. His two-way impact and upside make him an ideal fit with the Wolves. Bryant averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1 assist on 46/37.1/69.5 shooting splits in his lone season at Arizona. Let's dive into Bryant's game and fit with the Wolves.
Carter Bryant is a special defender
The main thing that stands out with Bryant's skill set is his defensive impact. With a 39.5-inch vertical, Bryant is one of the best athletes in this class, and he uses this athleticism to wreak havoc defensively. At 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and his elite athleticism, Bryant can guard multiple positions. On the ball, he is capable of shutting down both perimeter players and forwards. Impressively, Bryant held opponents to 29.5 percent shooting on jump shots. Off the ball, he is an excellent help defender who can force turnovers at a high rate, averaging a block and .9 steals per game. This skill set makes Bryant one of the best defenders in this class. Bryant's rebounding is also a plus.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Carter Bryant ends up as a T3 defender in this class.
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) May 1, 2025
Opposing scorers shot 29.5% on jumpshots when guarded by Bryant, per @SynergySST. Possesses a special blend of physical tools, athleticism & defensive instinct. pic.twitter.com/SNXID0quXL
The Timberwolves have largely built their identity around defense and versatility. Bryant perfectly fits this mold. He has clear similarities to Jaden McDaniels as a defender. Additionally, at Arizona, Bryant proved he can be a quality contributor to winning basketball while making the necessary sacrifices. Bryant's defense gives him a relatively high floor, while his offensive game provides intrigue and upside.
Bryant's offensive upside
Bryant's offensive numbers certainly don't look amazing. However, he only played 19.3 minutes per game and was underused in the eyes of many. Furthermore, Bryant's spot-up shooting and connective playmaking allow him to make an immediate impact. Notably, Bryant shot 40.5 percent from beyond the arc through conference play and the NCAA tournament. As a playmaker, Bryant makes the right read and is a willing passer.
Arizona's Carter Bryant has the makings of the big complementary wing all 30 NBA teams covet. Terrific physical tools, spot-up shooting, baseline feel, and valuable defensive versatility. pic.twitter.com/B0ZkY1B1cn
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) February 11, 2025
Additionally, Bryant is an active cutter and off-ball mover. His elite athleticism makes him a powerful finisher. Bryant will likely never become a primary self-creator. Nevertheless, the upside for him to blossom into an elite complementary wing similar to OG Anunoby is certainly there. Ultimately, Bryant offers an ideal combination of instant impact and upside.
Is Bryant a realistic target for the Wolves?
Bryant's fit with the Wolves is clear, especially with the uncertain future of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. However, he appears to be trending up in draft conversations and feels like a lottery pick. Collin Murray-Boyles, Noa Essengue, Cedric Coward, Nique Clifford, and Rasheer Fleming are all wings with a similar range to Bryant. One of them is likely to fall out of the lottery, and while Bryant seems to be trending up, it's still possible he falls to pick 17. It's also possible the Wolves fall in love with Bryant in the pre-draft process and trade up to get him. Overall, Bryant is a dream target for the Wolves, and if he's on the board at 17, it's hard to envision Minnesota passing up on him.