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The Minnesota Timberwolves took a necessary step forward this season as they punched their ticket to the playoffs for just the second time in the past eighteen years. The Timberwolves finished with a 46-36 record led by the growth of Anthony Edwards. The franchise was knocked out of the playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies and will look to build off the success moving forward.
One of the main avenues to continue improving is through the NBA Draft. The Timberwolves hold the draft's 19th, 40th, 48th, and 50th picks in this year's draft. There has been plenty of talk about their potential first-round targets, but here are some names to watch with the later picks.
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3 sleeper prospects Timberwolves must target in 2022 NBA Draft
John Butler- Forward, Florida State
An intriguing talent with very high long-term potential. John Butler stands 7'1″ but weighs just 175 pounds. Despite the height, Butler plays more like a wing and is content getting his production as a cutter and spot-up shooter. He is only 19-year-old and spent one season at Florida State. In 19 minutes per game, Butler averaged 5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. He attempted 2.7 three-pointers per game and connected on 39.3% of them.
The insane length and appealing touch that John Butler displays is sure to have a team take a chance, maybe even the Timberwolves. He has the frame, quickness, and instincts to develop into a lockdown defender. The weight concerns are the biggest red flag surrounding Butler. He also shot just 44% on free throws although it was a very small sample size (11 for 25). The Florida State product likely would have benefitted from more time in school but is still an excellent target for the Timberwolves. Taking their time with his development could pay off extremely well in the long run.
Patrick Baldwin Jr- Wing, Milwaukee
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A former top recruit in high school, Patrick Baldwin Jr's path to the NBA has not gone as desired. The 6'10” wing passed on several high-level college offers in order to go to Milwaukee where his dad was the coach. He battled an ankle injury throughout the season which eventually shut him down early. In total, he played in just 11 games and logged 314 minutes of play.
While he was perceived as a shooter, Baldwin Jr shot just 34.4% from the field and 26.6% on three-pointers. He has a decent handle but lacks the necessary explosion to attack the basket. In total, he averaged 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Both Baldwin Jr and the Milwaukee team underperformed greatly this season. While it certainly wasn't the impactful season many hoped for, Patrick Baldwin Jr still has intriguing potential. He may not be the future star he was once thought to be, but his long frame and ability are still intriguing. Taking a second-round swing on a guy who was once expected to be a top pick would be a worthwhile gamble for the Timberwolves.
Josh Minott- Wing, Memphis
A late bloomer with a ton of development still ahead, Josh Minott is another intriguing long-term talent. The Memphis product averaged just 14.6 minutes per game but came on strong to end the season. In these limited minutes, he averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks. He was just 2 of 14 on three-point attempts this season and is more known for his ability to attack the rim. Josh Minott has eye-popping athleticism which allows him to get out in transition and rise up for a highlight-reel dunk.
There is a lot to like in the foundation of Minott's game. He plays with a very high motor, is unselfish with the ball, and can handle it well. The 20-year-old currently is 6'8″ but is still expected to grow a few more inches. He moves extremely well for his size and has sky-high overall potential. Head coach Penny Hardaway has raved about his ceiling and what a good kid he is throughout the season. The growth he showed during his lone college season paints an optimistic picture of how soon he will be ready to compete. There are certain areas of his game that need to be polished, but his athleticism and motor will allow him to stick in the NBA.
Given the three second-round picks the Timberwolves currently have, they can afford to take bigger upside swings. Each of these guys are raw in their stage of development but has intriguing long-term potential. Using a second-round pick for the type of upside that each of these guys possesses is a worthwhile gamble for Minnesota. The youthful team is beginning to have the long-term pieces established, and this type of move could produce another key piece in the long run.
