When you have one of the best players in the game, most expect the team to be good. The Minnesota Timberwolves seem to be an exception. They have had Karl Anthony Towns since 2015 but have only made the playoffs once with him. This was when Jimmy Butler was with the team. For most of 2019/20, the Timberwolves had Towns and a 20+ PPG scorer in Wiggins. Despite this, they are one of 8 teams not going to Orlando to resume the season.
Wiggins is now in Golden State, and Towns now has the company of D’Angelo Russell. Russell is an all-star player and he projects to have good chemistry with Towns. But the Timberwolves need to get the 2020 NBA draft right if they want to make it work before Towns decides to leave. Here are the three best draft prospects for the Timberwolves.
Highest Upside Prospect: Onyeka Okongwu
Most analysts are citing Okongwu’s ceiling as Bam Adebayo. Luckily for Minnesota, that is exactly what they need. The team has two of the most dynamic scorers in the league. But they are terrible at defence. Beasley and Culver project to be solid defenders as starters but Okongwu could be the leader of this defence. He is already a versatile defender who can guard all five positions and can turn into a solid rim protector as well.
He also has high upside on offence. Okongwu is a strong finisher around the rim and his jumper is intriguing enough to see him become a decent long-ball threat. Slide him in at PF, and Minnesota could be in the playoffs starting next season.
Highest Floor Prospect: Saddiq Bey
Each team can use elite 3-pt shooters in today’s NBA. Saddiq Bey fits that profile. He hit 45.3% of his threes in his sophomore season in college. That is the definition of an elite shooter. He has a smooth jumper which will transition to the NBA with ease. Moreover, Bey is going to be a plus defender from day one. He is a starter-level 3-and-D wing from day 1. Minnesota does not necessarily need more stars. They need great complementary pieces and 3-and-D wings are the best complementary pieces.
Best Fit Overall: Isaac Okoro
Okoro is the rare draft player that can fit in well as a starter as a rookie and have high potential regardless. He was arguably the best perimeter defender in college basketball. He is a capable ball-handler and can finish well in the paint. His 3-ball needs some work but he’ll be a starter from day one, especially with his underrated passing. He can be a great third piece for Towns and Russell before eventually evolving into a better player than Russell.
