It's not a certainty that the Minnesota Timberwolves will keep their first-round pick. However, if they do keep it, targeting a plug-and-play prospect with the No. 28 pick would make a lot of sense -- and that's exactly what Duke wing Isaiah Evans offers.
Moreover, Evans' signature skill, 3-point shooting, is something the Wolves sorely need, particularly with Donte DiVincenzo's Achilles injury. For his two-year college career, Evans shot 38 percent from deep range on 5.8 3-point attempts per game.
Evans might not be a high upside player, but he would give the Wolves an immediate shooting boost, which, paired with his general shot creation chops, makes him an ideal option at pick 28.
These are the main reasons why I have Evans ranked fourth on my Timberwolves' big board for FanSided's draft guide.
Isaiah Evans' 3-point shooting would make him an ideal fit with the Wolves
While Evans provides other positives (which we will discuss shortly), I want to start with his outside shooting because, as noted, it's his main selling point.
The 6-foot-6 wing primarily offers value as a spot-up shooter, with 90 percent of his 3-pointers being assisted this past season per CBB Shot Charts. At the surface level, shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc this past season isn't that strong a mark, especially with such a heavy diet of assisted shots.
Regardless, he averaged 7.4 3-point attempts, and despite most of his shots being assisted, many of these attempts were contested.
Make no mistake, Evans is one of the best shooters in this year's draft.
Shooting is, of course, a premium skill in the modern NBA. Beyond that, Evans' shooting should ensure that his transition to the next level is a seamless one.
As mentioned, the Wolves have a clear need for extra shooting, particularly when considering the combination of DiVincenzo's injury and the goal of matching up better against Victor Wembanyama.
Furthermore, while the Wolves need to support Anthony Edwards with more shot creation, they should fill this void via the trade market and focus on players who are comfortable playing a spot-up role in the draft.
Evans isn't just a corner sitter, either -- he is a fantastic off-ball mover. Whether it's his fluid movements coming off screens or his frequent cutting, Evans' off-ball movement is a major plus and an ideal complement to his shooting.
The rest of Evans' game
He can also provide some shot creation juice. This was a significant area of growth for Evans as a sophomore who averaged 15 points (increasing his average by 8.2 points). Evans shot a rock-solid 68.9 percent at the rim and showed proficiency as a mid-range threat. His difficult shot-making abilities also stand out.
As such, Evans can thrive not just as a spot-up shooter but as a general microwave bucket getter -- which is something the Wolves' bench could benefit from.
Evans isn't a high-quality playmaker and would primarily be utilized in an off-ball role. Still, his comfort level with the ball in his hands is a plus, and he is certainly willing to make the extra pass.
There are some concerns about how Evans' thin frame (186 pounds) will translate to the NBA level, especially on defense. This could hinder his ability to earn minutes as a rookie, given Chris Finch's affinity for defense. Evans does offer some intrigue as a defensive playmaker, though. He averaged 1.4 stocks and ranked in the 90th percentile for block percentage according to Draftballr. In general, he has solid defensive instincts.
The bigger picture, though, is that what Evans brings to the table on offense should give him a genuine path to carving out minutes as a rookie.
Evans' draft range
Evans is one of the more commonly linked prospects to the Wolves, and frankly, I don't think that changes leading up to the draft.
Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports and J. Kyle Mann of The Ringer are two notable draft minds who have linked Evans to the Wolves recently.
Based on a variety of mock drafts from CBS Sports, The Ringer, ESPN, FanSided, Yahoo, and SB Nation, Evans' range is anywhere from 21 to the early second-round. Given this, there's a strong chance that Evans is available at 28.
If Evans is on the board at pick 28, his offensive profile is more than enough for Minnesota to consider drafting him.
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