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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2018-19

By Luke Askew

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 08: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during warmups before the game against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 08: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during warmups before the game against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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2. Josh Okogie

This seems like too obvious of a pick, right? I mean, anytime a team uses a first round draft pick on a guy, that guy should be poised for a breakout year. That’s kind of the whole point of the draft.

But still, it’s obvious for a reason, and that reason is that Okogie is absolutely the real deal and could fill a massive hole in the lineup as a Jimmy Butler 2.0 type of player. To clarify, I’m not saying he’ll be anywhere near as good as Butler (yet), but the similarities are there.

Top 10 candidates for 2018-19 Rookie of the Year award. light. More

Okogie was drafted by the Wolves with the 20th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. During his final year at Georgia Tech, he averaged a nice 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on 41.6 percent shooting from the field and 38.0 percent shooting from 3-point land.

He also logged an impressive 36.4 minutes per game during his 2017-18 college season, so he should fit right in with how the Wolves handle the rotations! (I’m being a little sarcastic because it makes me sad how much Thibs plays the starters.)

The bottom line with Okogie is that he can create his own shot and defend extremely well. Both of those are things the Wolves miss if Butler gets traded. Thibs isn’t known for giving rookies a huge role, but Okogie seems like his type of player. He could be a sleeper for the All-Rookie First Team if the minutes are there.

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