While Tim Connelly has an affinity for high-upside young players, I don't think any Minnesota Timberwolves fans would be upset if he drafted a safer prospect with the team's 28th pick this year. Truthfully, drafting a plug-and-play prospect might be the lone pathway for a rookie to have meaningful minutes on a team with title aspirations.
And if the Wolves go down this path, Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson stands out as an intriguing option. Jefferson is a four-year college player who will turn 23 a month into his rookie season. He doesn't have star upside by any means. Regardless, the versatile forward has a clear chance to carve out a role in the NBA from the get-go.
As the Wolves search for depth and quality bench production, Jefferson feels like a realistic target. Ironically, Jefferson's skill set is eerily similar to Wolves fan favorite Kyle Anderson. With Anderson entering free agency and aging, it would make sense for the Wolves to draft a younger version of him.
Joshua Jefferson could thrive with the Timberwolves in a Kyle Anderson-esque role
If there's one word I'd use to describe Jefferson's game, it's versatile. His averages of 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.4 stocks reflect this well-rounded skill set. Despite being 6-foot-9 (with shoes), Jefferson initiated a ton of the Cyclones' offense both as a playmaking hub and even a lead ball handler.
Chris Finch knows exactly how to deploy forwards with this skill set, making Jefferson's fit with the Wolves intriguing.
Jefferson's playmaking vision and general feel for the game jump off the screen. According to DraftBallr, Jefferson's 27.7 assist percentage ranks in the 99th percentile. Without a doubt, Jefferson's transition to the next level will be aided by his impressive connector abilities. Jefferson's blend of size and playmaking is where he is perhaps the most similar to Anderson.
For a Wolves team that is always looking for extra playmaking, Jefferson would fit in like a glove. This year, we saw Anderson uplift the Wolves with his connector skill set following his mid-season return to Minnesota.
As for the rest of his offensive game, Jefferson is a quality inside scorer both as a self-creator and play finisher. It's worth wondering how this scoring will translate to the NBA level, though, as Jefferson isn't an elite athlete.
Jefferson's 3-point shot is arguably his biggest swing factor. He shot just 31.5 percent from deep range for his college career. Thankfully, though, this includes a respectable 34.5 percent on 3.1 3-point attempts as a senior.
If you buy into the jumper, it's easy to convince yourself that Jefferson has a long and fruitful career ahead of him. Nonetheless, it remains a genuine concern. In the context of possibly replacing Anderson, though, Jefferson's flashes of outside shooting should be considered as a plus, given that Slo Mo converted on a grand total of four triples this season.
Defensively, Jefferson's sturdy frame and general IQ allow him to guard multiple positions. He will mainly guard forwards at the NBA level, but he could be thrown onto centers if needed and even switch onto guards on pick-and-roll. Furthermore, Jefferson is a disruptive defensive playmaker who ranks in the 93rd percentile for steal percentage. This defensive versatility is yet another similarity between Jefferson and Anderson.
The Wolves have largely built their identity on defense, making Jefferson a perfect fit. And while the Wolves have a stellar overall defense, another defensive-minded forward off the bench would surely benefit them.
Based on a variety of mock drafts, from ESPN, FanSided, Yahoo, The Athletic, CBS, and The Ringer, Jefferson's range falls anywhere between 22 and 36, making him a highly realistic target for the Wolves at 28.
Now the Wolves might be tantalized by the upside of other younger prospects and pass on Jefferson if he's available. However, the security that Jefferson offers can't be ignored, especially since we've seen the value of his skill set in this system.
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