Complete grades for all 30 teams in the 2019 NBA Draft
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jarrett Culver (No. 6), Jaylen Nowell (No. 43)
The Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t expected to pick until No. 11, but a pre-draft trade with the Phoenix Suns got them into the top 10. Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver doesn’t stand out with any one trait. Instead, he’s risen to prominence with a tremendous all-around game that can translate to a number of different areas around the court.
Averaging 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, his production won’t be tied to his scoring output. On a team with ball-dominant options in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the ability to contribute off the ball is important.
With starting point guard Jeff Teague entering the final year of his contract, Jaylen Nowell may be a possible long-term solution for Minnesota. Having averaged 16.2 points per game last year at Washington, he seems to be more of a scorer. Playing next to both Towns and Wiggins may have him alter his game in order to best suit his new team.
I wrote this long piece on Jarrett Culver (now of the Minnesota Timberwolves!) during April’s Final Four in Minneapolis. An A+ young man. https://t.co/F9aHunVNFO
— Reid Forgrave (@ReidForgrave) June 21, 2019
The Wolves are in a state of flux after failing to build on their first postseason appearance in years. They possess a talented young duo capable of leading them in scoring but lack the versatile intangibles necessary in today’s game.
Culver won’t average 20 points, but Minnesota doesn’t need him to. Instead, he can come and fill in the cracks where necessary at both ends of the floor. It might not look like much, but his impact may be enough to help jolt the Timberwolves back into the playoff picture out West for years to come.
Grade: A-