Mar 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) during the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the finals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jahlil Okafor
Age: 19
Height: 6’11
Weight: 270
Much like the aforementioned Towns, Jahlil Okafor is another franchise-changing big man, who is ready to give the Timberwolves an added low-post dimension on offense. However, where Towns might be able to operate at the power forward spot at times, Okafor is more of a traditional center who operates exclusively in the post, as evidenced by 61.9 percent of his shots being attempted at the rim (per Hoop-Math).
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Moreover, selecting Okafor would leave no doubt that Minnesota would move Pekovic, as Okafor and him take up the same spaces on the floor. The good news is that Okafor is brilliant around the rim, converting 76.5 percent of his attempts there, which bodes well for Minnesota’s emerging perimeter weapons.
Okafor does not come without his flaws, though. Defensively, he is not very agile and can get lost in pick and roll action. Consequently, the Timberwolves would probably have to tether him to more defensive oriented players like Payne and Dieng, limiting their offensive flexibility and spacing.
Defensive limitations notwithstanding, Okafor is still an extraordinary talent who is the last of a dying breed when it comes to back-to-the-basket offensive pillars. If the Timberwolves decide to go with Okafor, his size and unselfishness figure to factor in well with alpha-dog Andrew Wiggins’s explosiveness.
Next: Emmanuel Mudiay