The Minnesota Timberwolves' biggest need is a lead ball-handler and shot creator alongside Anthony Edwards. Canvassing the trade market is the best path for them to address this void.
However, the Wolves also need an infusion of shooting following Donte DiVincenzo's devastating Achilles injury, and this need could be addressed in the draft, ideally with Meleek Thomas. The Arkansas guard offers elite spot-up shooting and off-ball movement with some creation juice to boot.
Banking on the prestige of a former top-15 recruit who had a rock-solid freshman season would be a wise bet at pick 28.
Frankly, depending on how the board shakes out, Thomas might be their best option by far. He came in as the second-ranked prospect on my Timberwolves' big board for FanSided's draft guide. Iowa's Bennett Stirtz is the lone prospect ahead of him, and while I wouldn't rule it out, I also wouldn't count on him being available at 28.
Why Thomas is a perfect fit with the Wolves as they navigate life with DiVincenzo sidelined
Thomas' main selling point is undoubtedly his 3-point shooting. He netted 41.6 percent of his 5.3 3-point attempts at Arkansas. Based on spot-up shooting alone, Thomas would thrive alongside Ant (and hopefully another star). He is also a fantastic off-ball mover who excels at coming off screens.
When looking to fill the void left behind by DiVincenzo (whose return next season remains unclear), this movement shooter skill set is just as important as spot-up shooting. DiVincenzo is one of the best shooters in the entire NBA, and few players in this class offer the same level of all-around 3-point shooting that Thomas does.
While this is the primary reason why Thomas would be a logical pick for the Wolves, there's plenty of intrigue with the rest of his game.
Darius Acuff is a vastly different player from Edwards, but Thomas' time at Arkansas showcased that he can thrive complementing a ball-dominant player.
Thomas also showcased promise as a self-creator, especially as a silky smooth mid-range scorer.
Averaging 15.6 points in the SEC is no joke for a freshman. Additionally, Thomas shot 7.7 mid-range attempts per 100 possessions according to Draftballr, and despite his spot-up shooting prowess, 54.7 percent of his field goals (per CBB Shot Charts) were unassisted. This, paired with his 3-point shooting abilities, could lend him to a sparkplug bench role, and he perhaps could have a path to being more than this.
Thomas averaged 26.5 points per 40 minutes when he played without Acuff, which indicates that he has more upside than meets the eye. The bigger picture, though, is that Thomas' shooting and general scoring chops could help the Wolves immediately.
Now, Thomas does tend to take risky shots, and it's fair to hope that he can refine his shot selection at the next level. Additionally, Thomas didn't show a ton of promise as a rim-finisher. Regardless, Thomas' scoring profile offers far more pros than cons.
Connectivity might not be the first word you think of when you hear Thomas' name. While starting with shooting makes sense, Thomas is a willing connective playmaker, and he offers some pesky defense. He does a great job playing the passing lanes, averaging 1.5 steals with the Razorbacks.
Thomas' general motor should be seen as a positive. He makes hustle plays, crashes the glass at a solid level, and doesn't take plays off. Sure, Thomas doesn't profile as an elite defender by any means, but he can make a positive impact.
Going back to the idea of filling the void of DiVincenzo's possibly season-long absence, it's not just shooting that matters -- it's the willingness to do all the little things. And yes, it's highly unlikely that Thomas will provide the same level of impact that DiVincenzo had this past season, but he could certainly help the Wolves fill this void.
If Thomas is available at pick 28, there are few scenarios (if any) in which it would make sense for the Wolves not to draft him.
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