The Minnesota Timberwolves took a massive step forward last season. They finished with a 46-36 record and punched their ticket to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Led by Anthony Edwards, the youthful core took a step forward in their development with plenty of room to build on. Minnesota has an exciting roster and the hope is that this is just the start for the franchise.
The journey to improve the roster continues as the Timberwolves still have work to do. The first place they will look to do this is through the NBA Draft. Minnesota currently holds the 19th, 40th, and 48th picks in the 2022 NBA Draft. While the two second-round picks allow the franchise to take a bigger swing in the later round, the Timberwolves must be careful with their 19th pick. Here are three players the Timberwolves should avoid with the 19th selection.
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3 players Timberwolves must avoid in 2022 NBA Draft
Kennedy Chandler – PG Tennessee
A lightning-quick guard with intriguing athleticism, there is a lot to like about Kennedy Chandler. He has an elite first step and is effective when getting downhill. In his sole year at Tennessee, Chandler averaged 13.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. Despite his 6-foot frame, Chandler has long arms which he uses to get in passing lanes. His 6'5″ wingspan is also a major asset when finishing around the basket. The Tennessee product is a high IQ player who makes the right reads within the offense.
If Kennedy Chandler were 6'3 (all else equal) he probably goes lottery right?
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) June 22, 2022
The small size and frame are a massive concern for Chandler at the NBA level. He also only shot 60% from the free-throw line which is a red flag considering how much of his game is built around attacking the basket. His perimeter shooting motion is a little bit slow and it took him time to adjust to the college game. While he is an intriguing prospect, the Timberwolves do not have the time or touches available for him to properly develop. Adding another ball-dominant player to the roster risks stunting the growth of Anthony Edwards. This pick could be much better utilized on a player that could make more of an immediate impact.
Walker Kessler – Center Auburn
While Walker Kessler may have been overshadowed by projected top pick Jabari Smith, there is a lot to like about the other Auburn frontcourt standout. The monstrous 7'1″ big man made his impact felt on the defensive end and is an impressive rebounder. After transferring from North Carolina, Kessler averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game in his lone season at Auburn. He is an elite shot-blocker which earned him the 2021-22 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Honors. There also is intrigue around his offensive game as Kessler has begun growing as a perimeter shooter.
If the Timberwolves are targeting a long-term backup center then Walker Kessler is an excellent option. However, Naz Reid has a team option to return on a team-friendly deal. This is not a pressing concern for the franchise and the 19th pick feels a bit early for Kessler's draft range. Passing on the big man in favor of a cleaner fitting piece would be a much more effective use of the selection.
Jaden Hardy – Guard G-League Ignite
Jaden Hardy is one of the bigger wild cards in this year's draft. The former number two prospect in the 2021 recruiting class passed up on several big-time college offers in favor of the G-League route. Hardy averaged 19.5 points 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in his 25 games with the Ignite. While the raw numbers looked good, there were some major concerns with his efficiency splits. The shooting guard shot just 37.9% from the field and 30.9% on three-point attempts. He also turned the ball over 3.4 times per game and had a frightening turnover rate of 28.1%. Hardy seemingly lacked some explosion in his game and also died around screens far too often.
While Hardy is a much better player than the perception of him seems to be, his fit on the Timberwolves is not ideal. The 19-year-old is very ball-dominant in his nature and he is at his best when creating for himself. While this would be a great addition to the bench unit, his skillset is too similar to Anthony Edwards in the long term. Hardy came on strong to end the season which likely will lead a team to take a first-round chance on him. It would be wise for Minnesota to look elsewhere and find a better-fitting rookie. While there is some credibility to the “best player available mindset,” Hardy is too much of a question mark at the 19th pick.
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