Speedy playmaker would solve key problems for the Timberwolves in the draft

With the NBA Draft less than two weeks away, teams are zeroing in on targets. Guard play is an area of need for the Minnesota Timberwolves. French guard Nolan Traoré has the perfect skill set to solve some of the Wolves' key roster flaws. Playing for Saint-Quentin in the LNB Elite league, Traoré averaged 11.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.7 rebounds this past season. Traoré is a gifted playmaker and crafty finisher. Let's dive into his fit with the Wolves.

Traoré fits the Wolves' main needs

Traoré's playmaking and quickness stand out as his biggest strengths. As a playmaker, Traoré thrives in the pick-and-roll, making excellent reads. When the defense collapses on Traoré, he finds the open man with ease. Furthermore, Traoré is capable of making drive-and-kick passes or simply the extra pass. He is also one of the best ball handlers in the draft class. Impressively, Traoré's 42.8 assist percentage is the best in the class. His 30.4 usage rate also indicates that he can handle a ton of offensive responsibilities at the next level. 

Traoré similarly thrives in the pick-and-roll as a driver. His speed and burst allow him to generate constant rim pressure. Traoré is also comfortable finishing through contact. He can finish in a variety of ways at the rim. This skill set makes Traoré a highly capable self creator. The Wolves desperately need a guard who can attack the rim and make plays for others.

At 6-foot-4, Traoré has good positional size. Given this, Traoré could play next to Mike Conley and Rob Dillingham if need be. His skill set also makes him an intriguing fit next to Anthony Edwards. Traoré would give Edwards some much-needed backcourt support. Overall, Traoré's combination of size, finishing, ball handling, and passing is exactly what the Wolves need.

Traoré isn't a great shooter by any means, and he needs to work on his shot selection. Notably, he shot just 24.1 percent on pull-up 3-pointers and 29.7 percent on all 3s during the past two seasons. However, Traoré shot 37.9 percent from beyond the arc from January 1st to the end of the season. He also made several diffcult shots throughout the year. Given this and his solid fundamentals, Traoré's shot could develop.

Defensively, Traoré has all the tools to make a positive impact with his height and 6-foot-8 wingspan. While Traoré had some defensive lapses, for the most part, he was a positive defender in France. He is a pesky on-ball defender with good positioning who remains engaged off-ball. All things considered, Traoré is one of the most well-rounded guards in this class, and at 19, his upside is clear.

Is Traoré a realistic target for the Wolves?

Traoré is mostly projected to be a mid-first-round pick. While a team may grab him in the lottery, Traoré will most likely be available at pick 17. At the start of the draft process, Traoré was considered a consensus top-five pick. He slipped a bit due to a slow early-season start. However, Traoré bounced back, finishing the season strong, and his star-level upside is undeniable. Given Traoré's talent and how well he fits the Timberwolves' needs, they will certainly consider drafting him.