Timberwolves' best options for No. 27 pick in 2024 NBA Draft
06/13/2024 05:57 PM
Not much was expected from the Minnesota Timberwolves entering this season, but that didn’t stop them from making the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. They took down the defending champion Denver Nuggets along the way before falling to the Dallas Mavericks.
Now Minnesota pivots to the offseason, hoping to add key pieces to a strong existing core. The 27th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft is a good place to start, where the Timberwolves should look to grab Tyler Kolek, Ajay Mitchell or Baylor Scheierman.
Timberwolves select Tyler Kolek
If there’s one area of Minnesota’s roster that must improve, it’s their point guard spot. Mike Conley was a steady hand for the Wolves, but they were far too reliant on his playmaking. Minnesota had a -0.8 net rating when Conley was not on the floor during their playoff run, according to Cleaning the Glass. The Wolves fell 112-97 to the Nuggets in the lone playoff game Conley missed due to injury.
Conley is an integral part of Minnesota’s team, but he is turning 37 years old in October. Though still a fine player, he is not what he used to be. The Wolves could use someone who can spell Conley on the bench and fill in for him if he were to miss time. Of all the players in this year’s draft, Marquette’s Tyler Kolek fits that bill the best.
Kolek is one of the best playmakers in this year’s draft. He led the nation in assists per game at 7.7. Kolek also averaged at least eight assists per-40 minutes in each of his three seasons at Marquette. The Golden Eagles operated a heavy spread pick-and-roll offense that is similar to what NBA teams run. Kolek was the one who made that attack hum to it’s full potential.
Tyler Kolek broke Marquette's program record with 18 assists versus DePaul. The projected first round pick is a pick and roll maestro, leading the country in assists and shooting 41% for 3. pic.twitter.com/zu4c3V0uq9
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 22, 2024
Minnesota ranked 22nd in the NBA during the regular season in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.88. The New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic were the only playoff teams with a lower number. Kolek had a +2.54 ratio for his four-year college career. He can help create great looks for Anthony Edwards, taking the playmaking load off of him. Kolek would be a great get in the draft for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota drafts Ajay Mitchell
A player with a similar game to Kolek is Ajay Mitchell out of UC Santa Barbara. Mitchell had to carry more of a scoring burden for the Gauchos than Kolek did at Marquette, but he handled that responsibility well. Mitchell scored 20 points per game on outstanding efficiency all over the court.
Ajay Mitchell show last night in road win for UCSB, 27 points after taking over 2nd half. So effective with that start-stop/abrupt change of speed, almost Jalen Brunson-like, great OTD footwork to sidestep defenders. Ultra creative finisher with nose for the rim. Now 4-8 3PT. pic.twitter.com/gqVaPErsAf
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) November 28, 2023
Mitchell’s game and scoring ability has warranted comparisons to the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, as have his athletic measurables. P3 is a sports science organization that helps athletes train and prepare. They frequently bring in draft prospects to analyze their athletic traits and find comparisons with other professional players. Mitchell’s results were eerily similar to Brunson’s.
Mitchell is not the playmaker that Kolek is, but he did post a +1.95 assist-to-turnover ratio for his career. Mitchell is a sleeper who is mostly regarded as a second-round pick. The Timberwolves would be wise to make sure he doesn’t fall that far in the draft.
Timberwolves grab Baylor Scheierman
Another area where the Wolves could stand to improve is their shooting. While they shot 38.7% from deep during the regular season (third in the NBA), they didn’t take many threes. They attempted 32.7 shots from distance per game, which ranked 22nd in the league.
Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman can help with that. He was routinely one of the best shooters in college during his five-year career with Creighton and South Dakota State. Scheierman shot 39% from deep on 5.6 attempts per game. At 6-foot-6, he’s one of the best shooters in the entire draft.
A strong showing at the 2024 NBA combine boosted Scheriman’s draft stock to a fringe first-round pick. Minnesota should capitalize if they can. Scheierman is a legit NBA player would be a strong fit with the Timberwolves in the draft who can contribute in 2024 and beyond.
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