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2016 NBA Draft: 3 Players Minnesota Timberwolves Should Target At No. 5

By Brandon Carney

Mar 2, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) celebrates against the Creighton Bluejays during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) celebrates against the Creighton Bluejays during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) handles the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship semi-final game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) handles the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship semi-final game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma

On the flip side, the Timberwolves could opt to move LaVine over to point guard and bring in the best scorer in the nation in 2015-16, Buddy Hield. Hield averaged 25 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field, 46 percent from three and 88 percent from the free throw line.

I would say those are video game numbers, but even in video games there’s no chance I’m shooting 46 percent from downtown with anyone.

Coming off a senior season in which he set the nation on fire, Hield is now setting his sights toward the NBA. With draft stock that could put him as high as third overall to the Celtics, it would require a bit of luck for Minnesota to be able to take Buddy Buckets at No. 5.

But if he’s there, he would give the Timberwolves an element of offense they don’t currently have.

Hield’s proficiency from behind the three-point line would open the door for the Timberwolves to shoot more from distance, a part of the game that has taken over the league lately thanks to the Splash Brothers.

Minnesota was 29th in the league last season in both three-pointers made and attempted. If Hield can shoot anything close to the 46 percent clip he had in his final season at Oklahoma, things will change very quickly.

In addition to making his own threes, Hield’s presence would open up the floor more and allow Zach LaVine, who shot 39 percent from deep in his own right last season, to make an impact with his range as well.

Obviously three-pointers aren’t the be-all, end-all of what you want in a prospect, but Hield’s skill in all things scoring would make a team that already has so many dangerous scorers that much more deadly.

Next: Jamal Murray

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