MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 09: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game at Target Center on January 9, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 pick in next week’s draft, but they are reportedly targeting a second lottery pick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s NBA draft, and they also have the 17th-overall pick. That’s a solid draft capital position, and according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer they are trying to acquire a second lottery pick.
O’Connor adds the Timberwolves have had talks with the Atlanta Hawks, who have the sixth overall pick. Minnesota joins a list of teams with interest in that No. 6 pick.
A deal for Minnesota to get to a second lottery pick would of course include the No. 17 pick. Another possible part of a deal, with the Hawks or presumably any other team the Timberwolves may be trying to deal with to move up, would be 2019 No. 6 overall pick Jarrett Culver.
Culver advanced his draft stock during Texas Tech’s run to the 2019 Final Four. But his perimeter shooting woes from that final collegiate season (30.4 percent from 3-point range) translated directly to the NBA during his rookie season (29.9 percent). He also made just 46.2 percent of his free throws last season. There’s only so much offensive ineptitude that solid defensive play can cover up.
However, Culver did end his rookie campaign on a relative high note. He scored in double figures in seven of his last 10 games, as he shot over 51 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from beyond the arc (3.0 attempts per game) over that span. So maybe he found something that can carry forward. But it’s worth noting he still made just over 44 percent of his foul shots (8-for-18) over those 10 games, with 17 of his 18 attempts of that stretch coming over the first two (5-for-11) and last two games (3-for-6).
All in all, if it means that much to them to get a second lottery pick (with another move in mind?), parting with Culver is an easy decision for the Timberwolves. He feels like a player who has already reached his ceiling, or is really close to it. But maybe the Hawks, or another team with a lottery pick who’s willing to deal, see untapped potential that makes Culver an appealing young player to acquire.