Hoops Habit
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

By Corey Rausch

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring the go ahead basket against Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of the basketball game at Staples Center January 19 2017, in Los Angeles, California. Timberwolves defeated the Clippers, 104-101. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring the go ahead basket against Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of the basketball game at Staples Center January 19 2017, in Los Angeles, California. Timberwolves defeated the Clippers, 104-101. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA draft (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA draft (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1.   Karl-Anthony Towns

Was there ever any doubt? Karl-Anthony Towns was the Rookie of the Year in 2015-2016, made an All-NBA team in 2017-2018 and is a two-time All-Star. This season, where he missed plenty of time due to injury, preventing the receipt of these accolades he posted a career-high in scoring with 26.5 points per game.

His overall career averages thus far are 22.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. He is a career 39.6 percent 3-point shooter and has been over 40 percent for three consecutive seasons as his attempts have steadily increased. He played every game in each of his first three seasons and only missed five games last season before a lost season this year.

Towns does need to improve on the defensive side of the ball without a doubt. Karl-Anthony Towns had a defensive rating of 115.4 this season. For players who play at least 15 minutes per game and appeared in at least 20 games this season that would rank him in 491st place in the league. He falls behind such luminaries as Sekou Doumbouya, Jabari Parker and Ian Mahinmi.

He makes up for it in the fact that he is 22nd in offensive rating in that group. If the team is appropriately built around him and he continues to commit on that side of the ball this will increase. With D’Angelo Russell and the top pick of this draft in the fold, the offensive burden will finally be lessened on him. Towns is a clear All-NBA talent and easily the best Timberwolves draft pick in decades.

Next. 25 best players to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves. dark

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves