Was just about to come over and post this.UnFadeable21 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2019 11:41 am 11. Minnesota Timberwolves — Brandon Clarke
6-8 forward/center, redshirt junior, Gonzaga
The Timberwolves are another team that is tough to read right now. New lead basketball operations executive Gersson Rosas is making his first selection in that role after years in Houston. Following his hiring of Sachin Gupta as vice president of basketball operations, it’s reasonable to expect a data-heavy approach to team building. Rosas isn’t a “pure analytics” guy, having come up through the Rockets’ system as a video coordinator before becoming director of scouting and the No. 2 behind Daryl Morey, but it’s fair to assume that data will play a role.
Even despite his age and measurements being a hindrance in such measures, Clarke measures out well across NBA models, finding himself right in this range for most teams. In large part, that’s because Clarke’s production this season was off the charts. If not for the presence of Zion Williamson, Clarke would have set the single-season record for PER in college basketball over the last decade at 37.2. His 69.9 true-shooting percentage was absurd given that only about 50 percent of his shots inside the arc were assisted. Not since Anthony Davis has a player finished first in individual offensive and defensive rating.
Then, throw in the fact that he’s a perfect fit with Karl-Anthony Towns, and it’s extremely easy to get excited about Clarke’s potential in Minnesota. Clarke’s an elite level weak-side rim protector despite his lack of length due to his sense of timing and quickness off the ground. His mobility would also be a strong fit, as he’s capable of guarding players across the positional spectrum. With David Vanterpool being hired on Thursday to run the defense, it’s easy to imagine Minnesota running the same scheme Vanterpool ran in Portland, with Towns mostly playing drop coverage and staying around the basket, and Clarke playing the versatile Al-Farouq Aminu role. Offensively, Towns’ ability to stretch the floor from the center position would space the floor for Clarke’s rim-running and ability to operate in the mid-post. This is my favorite potential fit for any prospect in the draft.
I am not a great NBA draft mind, but that write up got me excited! I wish he would have at least shared some of the potential cons of the selection to give balance but seems like Clarke would be a great fit.