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Portland Trail Blazers: Top draft priority for each Northwest Division team

By Austin Carroll

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
  • 2018-19 record: 36-46 (5th in Northwest Division)
  • Draft picks: #11, #43

Draft Priority: Get Help for Karl-Anthony Towns

If the modern NBA has shown us anything, it’s that your stars won’t stay for long if you can’t build a winning team around them, regardless if they’re under contract or not. The Minnesota Timberwolves need to prioritize building a team that can genuinely compete in a couple of years as the rest of the division flames out financially.

Grabbing an experienced player that can contribute from the jump will be vital, the long-term projects can be saved for the second-round. The Timberwolves must focus on players with skill sets that complement the team Minnesota is building around Karl-Anthony Towns.

With the Towns, Robert Covington and Andrew Wiggins locked into the rotation moving forward, with a litany of young and talented but unproven player on the side, the Timberwolves need a very versatile player. This new brand of positionless basketball is something Minnesota should try to emulate with its currently unconventional rotation.

Top Draft Targets: Brandon Clarke, Jalen Lecque, Shamorie Ponds

Who checks all these boxes better than Brandon Clarke? The 22-year-old Clarke has the experience and developed tools necessary to make a big difference immediately. Leading Gonzaga all the way to a No. 1 seed and Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA tournament, Clarke was instrumental to the Bulldogs success. In the tournament, Clarke averaged 20.3 points, 10 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.

Clarke reaffirmed scouts’ belief in his ability by blowing away the physical tests at the NBA Draft Combine. His incredible blend of freak athleticism and high basketball IQ form a very interesting prospect smoothie. Clarke has the body of a power forward but the athleticism and agile ability of a shooting guard. His versatility is exactly what Minnesota needs.

Meanwhile, with Tyus Jones hitting free agency and Jeff Teague on the last year of his deal, it’s important Minnesota invests some time into figuring out their point guard plans for the future. Jalen Lecque in particular offers interesting upside and could be a draft day sleeper due to being under-scouted in his fives year at prep school.