It's only March but the Timberwolves should already have a dream draft target

With March Madness starting this week, NBA Draft conversations are beginning to heat up. While the Minnesota Timberwolves are focused on building some momentum for another deep playoff run, it's never too early to start thinking about the draft. After a three-team deadline trade with the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota swapped picks with Detroit in this year's draft. As such, the Wolves will (likely) have one of the bottom three picks in the first-round -- a slight decrease from their original pick. 

Even after trading for Ayo Dosunmu, the Timberwolves' biggest need is another playmaker and true point guard. To me, there's no better option than Iowa's Bennett Stirtz. Based on mock drafts from FanSided, No Ceilings, ESPN, The Athletic, and Bleacher Report, Stirtz's range is anywhere from 15 to 25. 

Thus, it's not super likely that Stirtz falls to the Wolves. Nevertheless, it's within the realm of possibilities, and landing Stirtz would be a dream outcome for the Timberwolves. 

Bones Hyland has been a fantastic sparkplug off the bench, but the Wolves could use more stable playmaking off the bench. Plus, with Hyland entering free agency, it would be wise to draft a point guard. Stirtz's blend of playmaking poise, 3-point shooting, and size makes him a well-polished prospect. As a 22-year-old senior, Stirtz is also ready to contribute minutes from day one. 

Bennett Stirtz would be an ideal bench guard for the Timberwolves

The 6-foot-4 guard is posting averages of 20 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 49.2/37.6/84.5 shooting splits. Stirtz has served as the engine for Iowa's offense (and Drake's before that). No other player averages more than 10.5 points on Iowa, and Stirtz posts a 26.7 usage rate.

Simply put, everything runs through Stirtz as a three-level scorer and playmaker. Stirtz's ability to have success against difficult defensive coverages bodes well for his NBA success. As both a scorer and playmaker, Stirtz is a quick processor. Stirtz 4.0 assists don't tell the full story regarding his ability to make difficult reads and operate as the team's lead facilitator. 

While he won't be an offensive engine in the NBA, Stirtz's college experience and skill set make him perfectly suited to lead a bench unit. 

Stirtz is a knockdown shooter comfortable spotting up and creating for himself. Furthermore, Stirtz is shooting an impressive 73 percent at the rim per CBB Shot Charts. He uses his tight handles to be a crafty finisher around the rim. 

Stirtz mainly operates in the pick-and-roll, whether it's finding ways to score or creating for others. Having a dependable bench presence like Stirtz would be a game-changer for the Wolves' volatile bench. 

Cruically, Stirtz is a serviceable defender as well. He has quick hands, is always in the right spot, and can be disruptive as a defensive playmaker. Notably, he averages 1.5 steals this year, and he averaged 2.1 steals last season. To be clear, he's not a defensive stopper by any means, but he won't be a clear net negative on defense.

Why Stirtz could drop to the Timberwolves

There are some concerns about how Stirtz will adjust to the NBA after running one of the country's slowest offenses. However, I think this is more of a system thing than a knock on Stirtz. In some ways, Stirtz's skill set actually lends itself to a faster style of play. If teams want a guard with more athleticism and star-level upside, Stirtz could reasonably fall to the late first-round.

All in all, Stirtz was a safer prospect who should have a long career as a backup guard. This high-floor type of player is exactly who the Wolves should be targeting amid their pursuit of a championship.

Despite currently being just outside of the Wolves' range, it's not out of the question that he falls to Minnesota, and there's no denying this would be an ideal outcome for the Wolves.