The Timberwolves have two offensive cornerstones in Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell who have a reputation for lackluster defense. While Minnesota’s wing depth is no joke, it makes sense to invest in a versatile defender who doesn’t need the ball to succeed offensively. Enter Isaac Okoro.
There’s a credible argument to label Okoro as the top defender in this year’s draft. He can suffocate the point of attack or roam passing lanes. At 6-foot-7, he’s agile enough to defend point guards and strong enough to body up power forwards. Okoro was one of the best defenders in college basketball as an 18-year-old, which is no small feat.
Okoro’s offensive projection is less idyllic. He’s a poor 3-point shooter and a sub-70 percent shooter at the charity stripe. If defenses don’t respect his jumper, then his upside as a secondary playmaker is potentially moot. He is, however, a selfless ball-mover and an active cutter, which could be enough next to Towns, Russell, and the Wolves’ talented offensive core.