Having pressed turbocharge on offense with the No. 1 pick, Minnesota looks to complement Karl-Anthony Towns in this spot. Jalen Smith is a logical pick, and someone who appears to be rocketing up draft boards as October creeps closer.
Towns is such a gifted and singular talent on offense. It’s hard not to fit next to him. Smith, however, fits especially well on paper — a floor-spacing, rim-running center who posted impressive efficiency numbers at every level as a sophomore. He is also a stout shot blocker, and though he struggles to defend in space, Smith has the length and instincts to cover a lot of ground as a weak-side rim protector.
The Wolves will bank on Smith’s stellar defensive production at Maryland, and hope his skill set proves nice in conjunction with the loads of shot creators on the roster. Smith gives Minnesota the potential for a two-big lineup than can still play five-out basketball. Everyone a 3-point threat.