The Minnesota Timberwolves are in an exciting position come draft night. They have three high draft picks in 1, 17, and 33, and they are looking to improve their team alongside franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns and star combo guard D’Angelo Russell.
As we mocked LaMelo Ball to the Wolves at number one, the Blazers need a two-way presence on the wing to help the big three on both ends.
In Josh Green, out of Arizona and originally Australia, they could select a springy six-foot-five wing who can guard multiple positions while also being able to spot up from the corners and finish at the rim.
One of the more impressive athletes in the NBA Combine, he had an excellent vertical of 39 inches.
In 30 games with Arizona, Green averaged an impressive 1.5 steals a game in just 30 minutes a night. He guarded opponents well on and off the ball and used his developing 210-pound body on both ends, be it getting to the rim as a cutter or diving for loose balls and getting deflections.
He has an improving jumper, and although he shot just 36 percent at Arizona, a shoulder injury and surgery mean he has a chance to get more development in over the extended offseason.
The Dallas Mavericks need to do everything within their power to pair the right players with superstar forward Luka Doncic.
With the need for more creation off the bench, the Mavericks should take point guard Tyrese Maxey out of Kentucky. Maxey is a two-way player who can function on or off the ball and has drawn comparisons to Kyle Lowry with clutch play on both ends of the court.
He is strong defensively, which is key for any player that the Mavericks recruit. Kristaps Porzingis and Doncic aren’t great defenders in space. Maxey may be able to credibly defend one through three in the NBA, depending on the opponents’ size.
As a jump shooter, he still needs to work on his craft, but there is confidence within NBA draft circles that his form is good enough to do so.