Fansided

2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets get an F

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Jarrett Culver
ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 28: Texas Tech guard Jarrett Culver (23) looks on during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship Sweet Sixteen round basketball game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Michigan Wolverines on March 28, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves – A-

6th Overall – Jarrett Culver, Guard (Texas Tech)

43rd Overall – Jaylen Nowell, Guard (Washington)

I’ve made multiple mentions of the high number of trades that happened in the lottery this season, the one that was the most surprising was the Minnesota Timberwolves trading the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and Dario Saric to the Phoenix Suns for the 6th overall pick. While Minnesota’s interest in moving up was reported often in the lead up to last night’s draft but their believed target was Darius Garland. However, Garland would go one pick ahead of them to the Cleveland Cavaliers at fifth overall. That would seem to show that Garland was not their true target in earlier trade discussions.

When Jarrett Culver’s name was announced we saw that he was the player that the Timberwolves were targeting all along. Culver’s pro comparison on ESPN’s telecast was Jimmy Butler. With Butler in the lineup for the entire season, Minnesota was able to make the playoffs ending a 15-year drought.  Year two of the Butler experience did not go as well and he was eventually traded away to the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the time together wasn’t a complete wash, it seems that the Timberwolves liked the idea of having a bigger primary ball handler to complement Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. That is exactly how Culver will operate for this group and while he won’t have the immediate impact of a seasoned veteran like Jimmy Butler but he could help Towns and Wiggins reach a new level of play.

With their second-round pick, the team selected Jaylen Nowell out of Washington. Nowell was a known offensive force and helped lead the Huskies to the top of the PAC-12 standings thanks to his ability to manufacture points at will. Whether it was getting to the line, finishing at the rim, or shooting of the dribble Nowell had it in his tool bag. Benchmark scoring has long been an issue for this franchise for quite some time. If Nowell is able to stick on then he could potentially help fix that weakness.

Minnesota is under new management with Gerrson Rosas calling their shots now and Ryan Saunders no longer an interim coach, the Timberwolves are looking to be viewed as a different team. Their moves on draft night speak to this and if they work out then things could be different as soon as next season for Minnesota fans.

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