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NBA Draft: 5 Late-Round Prospects The Timberwolves Should Target

By Aaron Mah

Oct 10, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders talks with owner Glen Taylor prior to the second half of the game with the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center. The Timberwolves win 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders talks with owner Glen Taylor prior to the second half of the game with the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center. The Timberwolves win 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Terry Rozier (0) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans guard Travis Trice (20) during the first half in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Terry Rozier (0) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans guard Travis Trice (20) during the first half in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville

Physicals

Height (in shoes): 6’2.25″   Weight: 190 pounds   Wingspan: 6’8.25″   Standing Reach: 8’2.5″

Experience

Age: 21   Class: Sophomore

Draft Projections

DraftExpress: #44   NBADraft.net: #26

Potential Fit

Terry Rozier is an electrifying, high volume scoring guard equipped with an advanced array of ball-in-hand skills.

First and foremost, Rozier is physical specimen at the point guard position. Although he only stands at 6’2″, Rozier is blessed with a Derrick Rose-esque 6’8.25″ wingspan. The 21-year-old is also built like a rock, weighing in at a sturdy 190 pounds with only 5.8 percent body fat.

If the Wolves do draft or acquire his rights, the former Louisville Cardinal will instantly become the perfect complement to Rubio coming off of the bench. Most notably, he is an accomplished college three-point shooter, capable of nailing long distance treys off-the bounce or spotting up.

As well, he is an explosive athlete, capable of invading the paint with ease due to his quickness and creative handle.  And for a ball-dominant guard, Rozier does an exemplary job at protecting the ball — averaging less than 2.5 turnovers and more than 6.3 assists per 40 minutes this past season.

However, Rozier has a tendency to chuck up mindless contested two-point shots and is not the stoutest of perimeter defenders — major problems if he were to play alongside LaVine in the second unit.

Moreover, while Terry encompasses great one-on-one skills — equipped with a bevy of hesitation and change-of-pace maneuvers — he struggles to effectively negotiate pick-and-rolls most often times — which will serve as a major faux pas at the next level — and has his troubles finishing around the rim, especially with his left.

But, if the Wolves fail to move up, and the trio of Delon Wright, Tyus Jones, and Chris McCullough are all off the board, Minnesota should take a serious look at Rozier to act as Rubio’s high-octane, change-of-pace backup.

Next: Cliff Alexander

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