2019 NBA Mock Draft: Learning from the playoffs
Gonzaga. Brandon Clarke. 10. player. 86. . F/C
In thinking about the future of rookie big man Deandre Ayton, this week I wrote over at Bright Side of the Sun about how Phoenix should be thinking about the playoffs in terms of Ayton’s growth. One of the statistical trends I took note of in that post was Karl-Anthony Towns’ prolific production in the post in his playoff debut last spring. In the first round against Houston (just five games), Towns handled 42 percent of Minnesota’s possessions in the post and was in the 81st percentile seasonwide in his efficiency down low, per Synergy.
As with Ayton, what Towns gives you on offense will have to make up for what he allows defensively. Both have room to grow as defensive anchors, but narrowing in on Towns, we now have three seasons worth of evidence that the Kentucky product can be the hub of a good offense. That he did so in the playoffs against the top overall seed in the NBA, albeit one going through the motions in round one, should make the Timberwolves even more thrilled with their big man’s scoring potential.
The heights Minnesota can reach during Towns’ second contract, which kicks in this upcoming season, will be determined by their defense.
As seen above, Minnesota’s defense has trended in the right direction over the course of Towns’ career, even as the Wolves have struggled to cobble together a roster that fits his talents. With Jimmy Butler in tow in 2018, Minnesota finished fourth in offense.
Clarke would change the defense immediately. He is the second-best defensive big man prospect behind Zion Williamson and would allow Minnesota to be far more versatile on that end, unlocking the potential Towns flashed in his first couple seasons defending in space. With Clarke next to him, Towns would be free to move about the cabin more easily and his offense-defense balance would come into focus heading into his prime.