NBA Draft Team Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves
THE 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place later this month, with the next crop of potential superstars set to join the world’s most prestigious basketball league.
With plenty of hype around the talent in the 2023 draft class, thanks to a French phenom locked in as the number-one pick and lots of depth later down the order, June 23 (AEST) will change the future of the league in a big way.
Rookie Me Central will be continuing the NBA Draft Team Preview series, taking a look at each participating side’s draft hand and some potential options at each selection. The next side on the agenda are the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves made the play-in last season, and stole a spot in the playoffs, but were unfortunately defeated by the first seed in the Denver Nuggets.
Although they only have the one pick late in the draft, the Timberwolves will be eager to find themselves a bargain and add to their roster.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Draft selections
53
Contracted players
Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, Nickeil Alexander-Walker (qualifying offer), Wendell Moore, Jaden McDaniels, Jordan McLaughlin (qualifying offer), Nathan Knight (team option), Josh Minott, Luka Garza (qualifying offer), Matt Ryan (qualifying offer)
The Timberwolves seem settled on their roster as it is, and appear unlikely to try and trade into the lottery of the draft given the pieces they have already acquired.
One option that may seem attractive to the team on draft night is guard Adam Flagler, with the Baylor senior potentially a good fit for Minnesota.
Although there may be some younger options still on the board when the Timberwolves are on the clock, Flagler has the experience to slot in nicely at NBA level, and could help the team in a more immediate sense than some of his fellow potential draftees.
Another player that could be on Minnesota’s radar is Jaylen Clark, with the UCLA prospect sliding down the order due to some injury troubles over the past season.
He looms as more of a long term prospect in comparison to Flagler, but could be worth it in the long run if he taps into his potential in the coming years.
A powerful athlete with plenty of physicality and agility, Clark may be tempting to a Minnesota team that is comfortable with its rotation as it stands.
The Timberwolves may only hold the lone selection in the draft order, but hidden gems have been found around this mark in the past, and if they play their cards right, the team could find itself with a bargain by the time all names are read.