10 Draft Night Options for the Wolves

The Timberwolves head into Wednesday an asset-rich roster, but who can they bring in to add to a pool of young players that looks to be promising?

The NBA Draft is upon us, and fireworks happened a year ago when the Minnesota Timberwolves traded up to bring Rob Dillingham into the fold.

While Dillingham didn’t play much this past season, the move to acquire him may have been foreshadowing of future drafts down the line; the willingness to take a swing in the best interest of preparing the team for the future while keeping prospects in the hopper.

What happens this year?

Currently in possession of picks 17 and 31 (perhaps not for long), the Wolves will aim to do something similar. But where should they run to? I’ll focus on a couple directions including players that could fit that path. I’ll identify skillsets that could solve at least one of the following:

1. Players comfortable with playing at a fast pace, something the Wolves must take advantage of with their youth and athleticism.
2. Skilled players that could help bring the Wolves out of their halfcourt offensive woes, and play comfortably in a flow offense in the future.
3. Players that step on the court with an edge. The Wolves lack a few more guys that can dive for a loose ball and back-up a brawl if needed. Let’s see that turn around a little bit maybe?

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Philosophy #1: Let’s Grab A Big

Rationale: Leonard Miller is going into his third season and should be expected to contribute. However, I’m a bit skeptical and think another young big should be brought in to push him.

With the future of the entire Timberwolves frontcourt essentially up in the air over the next three years, it makes sense to continue to bring in skilled bigs that can make viable contributions to Chris Finch’s philosophy on at least one end of the floor while helping push pace.

The Players

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Danny Wolf

21.1 y/o | 6’10” ht | 7’2” ws | 252 lbs

If the Wolves decide to head down this road, Wolf is my number one choice with a bullet. He may not make it to 17 so might have be a trade-up candidate.

A nasty passer and ability to shoot the rock, Wolf reminds me a lot of an inverted Kyle Anderson. Though he may be lacking the defensive chops. he carries over offensively with his finesse and floor IQ. For a flow-oriented offense that Chris Finch tries so hard to get his team to pick up, Wolf’s vision and ability to re-locate after giving the ball up allows the floor to be spaced optimally which would be incredibly valuable.

There are Naz Reid comps flying around for the Michigan Wolverines big man, but I think with his passing ability, he’s someone that would seamlessly share the floor with the more scoring-oriented Reid.

There aren’t a ton of concerns about his rebounding, but I personally would have some for him on this current roster with someone who has his level of athleticism.

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Thomas Sorber

19.5 y/o | 6’9” ht | 7’6” ws | 263 lbs

The darling of Wolves fans all-around!

Whether Sorber is available at 17 remains to be seen, but his passing ability makes me think he could turn into a pretty effective fastbreak big. He could be tremendous alongside someone like Reid. When he gets around the basket, he typically doesn’t miss, and his long arms make me think he could have the catch radius to give Anthony Edwards some confidence on the pick-and-roll.

His rim protection projects to be strong, but without traditional size at the five, his effectiveness as a center is something I would have questions about against teams that insist on getting their points by trying the rim possession after possession.

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L’EQUIPE

Joan Beringer

18.6 y/o | 6’11” ht | 7’5” ws | 235 lbs

Beringer might not see the floor in a NBA game within the next two years thus he might not push Miller’s development. He’s certainly a project.

However, the Frenchman is a nasty athlete and very, very good at running the floor in a way that would compliment a stretch big like Reid in his current state. Scouting reports rave about Beringer’s catch radius as well, making him and ideal pick-and-roll partner to Anthony Edwards, who doesn’t always trust the roll currently.

Beringer is total lottery ticket, but it can be nice to always have one of those guys in the hopper. If he develops, it would be an incredibly profitable option for a Wolves team that doesn’t play nearly as fast as it should.

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Asa Newell

19.7 y/o | 6’9” ht | 6’11” ws | 224 lbs

Why not another hooper from the Georgia Bulldogs? Newell just might be on the table at 17 or maybe even at 31.

I personally love what the 19-year-old does. He has an excellent motor and is a rock solid athlete that can step out to shoot it if need be (though not incredibly consistent). This is all projection, but it feels like he could be a small-ball big that can be an excellent glue guy on a deep playoff team at his full development. He runs, he dunks, and gets his hands dirty fighting for rebounds in a way that not all other players will.

Newell may not be as bouncy as someone like Obi Toppin, but it feels like he could still serve a similar role that Toppin does for the Indiana Pacers.

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Ryan Kalkbrenner

23.4 y/o | 7’1” ht | 7’6” ws | 257 lbs

Kalkbrenner is the high-floor big that does a couple things really well that are tailored to his skillset, which is something the Wolves are well equipped to do in this situation.

Looking for a less-athletic big that can run the floor in a straight line, block shots, and step out to hit a three if needed? If so, the 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year feels like someone that could be used to deploy in specific situations for the Wolves. Could Kalkbrenner have a couple Donovan Clingan-type moments as a rookie as well? Possibly.

He’s the complete opposite of Beringer. Someone who has the ability to step into specific situations on day one, but may never develop into a top 15 player in the league.

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Johni Broome

22.9 y/o | 6’9” ht | 7’0” ws | 249 lbs

Broome plays with an edge that not many on the current Wolves players do. He’ll also most certainly be available at pick 31.

The Auburn Tigers forward won’t move the needle 10 wins on his own, but he’s a smart player that uses his body well and plays strong on the ball. Players don’t become All-Americans by happenstance.

Broome is an energy player that possesses enough skill to work in with the lineup he’s on the floor with. He’s a bit similar to what Xavier Tillman as a player, all while being a better passer. He’d be helpful in running the floor.

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Rasheer Fleming

21.0 y/o | 6’8” ht | 7’5” ws | 232 lbs

Fleming possesses some skill overlap with Reid, but my goodness does he know how to finish plays. Some of my favorite tape I watched on prospects that would be available in this range.

I love his athleticism, willingness to punch the ball, and decisiveness. He averaged 8.5 rebounds this year at St. Joe’s, drastically improving from previous seasons. Fleming spent three years in college and had the time to develop the things he’s good at. Again, the idea here is that the Wolves bring someone in similar to what they want out of Leonard Miller while fostering competition. I think Fleming fits that mold.

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Philosophy #2: Life After Conley

Rationale: The Wolves sort of did this with Rob Dillingham last year, but the idea here is that you’d bring someone in who’s more of a floor general. Perhaps a player that could play alongside Dillingham while also pushing his development. When you’re in a position the Wolves are, these are things you can afford to do.

Pushing pace and floor organization will be two desperate needs upon Conley’s departure in a couple years. Could it be time to bring someone in and have a year with their predecessor?

The Players

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Kasparas Jakučionis

19.1 y/o | 6’5” ht | 6’8” ws | 205 lbs

This would be a dream scenario, though Jakučionis would be someone the Wolves would almost certainly have to trade up for.

The 19-year-old is able to play alongside everyone and possesses the “supercomputer” processing of the game that the Wolves have relied too much on from the aging Conley. No one else on the roster really has this skillset. Jakučionis also has time to develop, though I don’t think the Wolves are particularly the best situation for his overall development. He needs to play right away.

The Lithuanian could form a filthy pairing with Anthony Edwards. Although defense would be an issue, he could also generate some incredibly fun offense next to Dillingham down the road. Jakučionis didn’t necessarily play with a ton of pace with the Illinois Fighting Illini, but could still make any play. I have no doubt that he could drive an offense. He can also get his own bucket as needed, but isn’t something he’s going to be too effective at right away in the NBA.

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Egor Demin

19.3 y/o | 6’8” ht | 6’10” ws | 199 lbs

If you want to chase some of the Ricky Rubio dopamine we all experienced once upon a time, Demin is the lottery ticket that could fulfill it if he pans out in this draft.

A spotty shooter, Demin is the perfect fit for the Wolves to play at rapid pace in transition and get everyone involved. He’s a ridiculous passer and could play both on the perimeter and play make from the elbows given his height. It’s hard to resist a tall point guard who has savant passing capabilities, but Demin’s shot leaves a ton to be desired. It could be the reason the offense could get stuck in the mud.

Given where the Wolves are at, I’m all in on this being a move, even if you have to move up a couple spots to make it happen. It’s a low-risk, high-reward proposition for Tim Connelly.

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Nolan Traore

19.1 y/o | 6’3” ht | 6’8” ws | 175 lbs

More of a typical floor general, Traore has fallen down some draft boards from his previous top-10 projection heading into last season.

Traore plays at high pace and is an unselfish player, while also being pretty active defensively. He gets out and runs on the fastbreak and could be a catalyst for doing so on the Wolves. The French guard also got a lot better at not turning the ball over.

Frankly, he feels like a French version of a Minnesota Jones brother. If he reaches his full potential, he projects as a good NBA point guard.

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Ultimately, this article was written from the point of view that the Wolves first pick is going to be at 17 and last one at 31. As mentioned earlier, that may very much not be set in stone. Whether it’s trading up or even completely out of this draft, everything is on the table. But planning for the future needs to continue to happen and whether it’s pushing the development of the current young players, or waiting in the wings, it should be taken into account.

Why?

Because one thing is for certain under the construct of the current NBA; nothing.