NBA: Ceilings, floors, and comparisons for the 2019 draft lottery picks
By Cole Raines
The Timberwolves packaged a deal to pair Karl-Anthony Towns with Jarrett Culver, the athletic two-way guard out of Texas Tech, who they took with the 6th pick of the draft.
Culver is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. With his quickness, strength, and the defensive prowess, he will make a good pairing for KAT in Minnesota. Culver displayed in his two years on Texas Tech that he is a well-rounded player with good size and length that will be necessary to play a wing in the NBA. For Culver, his ceiling and floor really determine on the transition from NCAA to the NBA, he seems to have the tools to be an above average role player, maybe even a good second option on a contending team, but he has to adjust to the NBA brand of ball.
NBA comparison: Younger Jimmy Butler
This is the most consistent comparison I have seen, but I agree with it. Culver displays the shot creating and defensive skills that Jimmy displayed coming out of Marquette. Butler played off a former MVP in Derrick Rose, and KAT may be a different position and not an MVP yet, but Culver will be given the chance to play off a star in today’s league as well. As Culver develops, he could become a less dramatic Jimmy with the shot-making and lockdown defense.