3 players the Minnesota Timberwolves should draft with the No. 19 pick
The NBA Draft is less than 10 days away, but who should the Minnesota Timberwolves select with the No. 19 pick? There are plenty of options, but finding a point guard and power forward are the two areas of need.
Let’s Talk Minnesota Sports already covered Walker Kessler, so he will not be included in this article. If you want to check that out, you can read it here.
1. Nikola Jovic, SF/PF – Serbia
Nikola Jovic is one of the most talented players in this draft and probably would go a lot higher had he spent his playing days in college versus overseas. There’s a lot to like about him, and he’s a home run pick.
At 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, Jovic can do a lot of things with a basketball. He can bring the ball up the floor, facilitate it to others and score with ease.
Despite averaging just one assist, Jovic displayed great court vision and is more than willing to pass the ball. Imagine how many assists he can rack up if he’s passing to Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns or D’Angelo Russell.
Jovic plays a lot like Bojan Bogdanovic, but the only difference is that he’s three-to-four inches taller. If Minnesota can gain a player that averages close to 18 points, with four rebounds and an assist or two a game, then I think they’d be pretty excited about that.
Jovic can score pretty easily from anywhere on the floor. He has great touch around the rim and can knock down 3s. Last season he averaged 11.8 points on 55.2 percent from the field and 40.0 from 3.
If you look up information about him, you’ll see a lot about his lack of athleticism. However, that’s far from the truth, and it’s easy to see if you watch his highlights.
He’s been playing against professional athletes and he’s only 19 years old. This is a guy you can plug in right away on day one.
2. Tari Eason, SF/PF – LSU
Tari Eason is one of the more athletic players in this draft. At 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, Eason can go through almost any player. The majority of his points come through dunks in transition or cuts to the basket.
He did shoot 35.9 percent from 3, but the motion of his shot isn’t fluid. He will need to retool his shot if he wants to shoot efficiently at the next level. On top of that, he’s only started in 12 of the 56 games he’s played (two seasons).
That might not mean anything, but in the long-term, he’s probably going to be a sixth-man. For Minnesota, that might not be such a bad thing. They already have plenty of scorers in the starting five, and Eason would be a great spark plug off the bench.
Because he’s only 215 pounds, he may be better suited at the three. If he puts on some more muscle and weight, then he should have no problem playing the four. Eason does play a lot like Marcus Morris and that’s something the Timberwolves would love to add.
Eason is one of the better defenders in this draft. Last season he averaged 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Not only does he cause opposing teams to turn the ball over, but he does a great job staying in front of his guy.
Minnesota may view his defensive prowess and athleticism as a must at pick 19, and he would be a welcomed addition.
3. Blake Wesley, PF/SG – Notre Dame
Minnesota may need to address its point guard position in the near future. Russell’s future is up in the air, and he may be moved this offseason. Blake Wesley may not be the best option long-term, but his athleticism is intriguing.
At 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, Wesley has zero problems throwing down monster slams.
He does a great job getting out in transition, and that would be a great fit for the Timberwolves offense – sort of what Jordan McLaughlin brings to the table in that regard. Wesley does need to slow things down at times because he gets a little sloppy with the ball. As he learns and gains experience, that should be something that comes naturally.
He can become a great scorer at the next level, but his efficiency needs to improve. He shot 40.4 percent from the field, 30.3 from 3 and 65.7 from the charity stripe.
His burst and athleticism make it easy for him to get easy baskets at the rim. He also has a nice stroke, which should translate over to the NBA.
Using his near 7-foot wingspan, Welsey averaged 1.3 steals per game.
There’s a lot to like about him, and as long as he can improve his shooting, then he’ll have a long career in the NBA.
