2018 NBA Mock Draft: What’s in store for the second round?

Trent is another player who reminded us at last week’s combine just why he was so intriguing a prospect coming into the season, recording a 6-9 wingspan and a 33.5-inch standing vertical leap. Physically gifted wings with shooting touch are rare, and Minnesota might know that better than any team in the league.

Amid a crowded young roster at Duke, Trent had to trade in any athletic upside or playmaking potential for catch-and-shoot gunning, as coach Mike Krzyzewski attempted to wring spacing out of his big starting lineup. Trent launched nearly eight 3s per 40 minutes, but made 40 percent of those looks, even with many coming at the end of the clock or against tight defense. The shot translated easily in Trent’s freshman season, but it’s the other tools that were not as advertised.

In order to survive in the NBA, Trent will need to capitalize on his 3-and-D frame and actually contribute defensively. Duke’s defense was nearly five points worse per 100 possessions when Trent was on the floor, according to Basketball-Reference. He posted minuscule block and steal percentages and generally was not impactful on defense. The Duke defense was susceptible to easy penetration and gave up tons of easy shots against good offenses, and Trent should have been a bigger part in patching those holes.

Still, this far into the draft and with such a desperate need for raw talent on this Timberwolves roster, it’s easy to imagine the team pulling the trigger on Trent.