Post-lottery Mock NBA Draft: 1 week later for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Post-lottery Mock NBA Draft: One week later for the Minnesota Timberwolves

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum speaks during the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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NBA draft (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

170. . Center. Charlotte Hornets. Onyeka Okongwu. 3. player

For a team desperately in need of some size and overflowing with guard prospects taking a swing on Onyeka Okongwu makes too much sense to pass up on. The comparison to Bam Adebayo is common but it is fitting. He has the physical gifts and motor to be a transformative defensive player if he reaches his potential. He is a dynamic shot blocker (averaging 2.7 per game) and an extremely effective interior scorer.

Okungwu may ultimately be a forward, considering he is only 6’9” but if he bulks up he will have the potential to defend multiple positions. For a team that has featured far too much Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller manning the paint.

Related Story. 25 best players to play for the Charlotte Hornets. light

While not the same player, he has the ceiling to be the best big man on this roster since Al Jefferson. For those who forget Jefferson helped lead this team to the playoffs and made an All-NBA team. Okongwu has the real chance to be that good as long as he continues to develop (and maybe even grow a little).

Another bonus is Onyeka Okongwu does not suffer from the line like many big men, averaging an acceptable 74 percent. The signs are all here for him to be the big man of the future for a team with solid young perimeter players.

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