While the Minnesota Timberwolves are focused on their current playoff run, the NBA Draft is looming. Undoubtedly, the Timberwolves would benefit from some extra guard depth, and the playoffs are highlighting this need.
Luckily, our guy Christopher Kline over at FanSided.com had the Timberwolves drafting the perfect solution to this problem in his latest mock draft: Iowa's Bennett Stirtz.
"Stirtz keeps his finger on the pulse. He rarely makes mistakes, but he can also pop off for 3-point flurries, regularly weaponizing a killer stepback. Stirtz can stabilize and elevate Minnesota from the jump," Kline wrote.Â
Kline also aptly described Stirtz falling to pick 28 as a "dream outcome" for Minnesota. The 22-year-old senior could seemingly fall due to his age, but there's no denying he'd be perfect for a Timberwolves squad that's looking to compete now.
Bennett Stirtz would be a seamless fit with the Timberwolves
Truthfully, I've gone back and forth on how much the Wolves need a point guard. Following Donte DiVincenzo's devastating injury, I'd certainly look into adding a spot-up shooter as well.Â
Regardless, this series against the San Antonio Spurs has once again put the Wolves' point guard room under a microscope. The Wolves have struggled against the Spurs' relentless ball pressure and clearly need some extra dependable ball handling next to Anthony Edwards.Â
Minnesota would certainly stand to benefit from some extra ball-handling, playmaking, shot creation, and shooting. Thankfully, this is the exact skill set that Stirtz brings to the table.Â
Stirtz operated as the primary engine for an Iowa squad that reached the Elite Eight this past season. For the year, Stirtz averaged an impressive 19.8 points and 4.4 assists.
Don't let his merely solid 35.8 3-point percentage fool you, Stirtz is a truly elite shooter both off the catch and creating for himself. He also played nearly every second, including quite literally every second in the NCAA tournament for Iowa this season, highlighting his stellar conditioning.Â
While Stirtz operated as a star in college, he can certainly scale down to a high-level complementary role, mainly providing high-level playmaking and shooting. Stirtz's steady ball-handling and excellent feel for the game jump off the screen when watching him.Â
Plus, despite Stirtz's fairly slight frame, he is a great finisher around the rim. According to Draftballr, Stirtz shot 70.5 percent at the rim this past season, a number that ranked in the 93rd percentile. Stirtz uses a nice blend of craftiness, slick handles, and burst to attack the rim. It's also worth noting that he posted a 37.5-inch vertical at the combine.Â
Stirtz isn't some elite point-of-attack defender by any means, but he has great hands and can be a disruptive force in the passing lanes.Â
In terms of finding a guard who can fill multiple needs for the Wolves, nobody within their realistic range checks more boxes than Stirtz.Â
To me, Stirtz is a top 15-to-20-level prospect. However, it wouldn't be a stunner if teams overthink things because of his age. If that happens, the Wolves will happily swoop in to add a ready-made contributor at a position of need.Â
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