NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 players for Minnesota Timbervolves to pick at No. 11
By Alex Weber
Brandon Clarke (F) — Gonzaga
Welcome to Karl-Anthony Towns’ fantasy. Where his front office rewards his dominant offensive season by picking up a seasoned frontcourt running mate who is a perfect fundamental defender and historically efficient scorer inside the three-point line. Clarke is the perfect compliment to KAT in every imaginable way.
On defense, I am confident in stating that Clarke is the best defender in the 2019 draft. Aside from glitchy point guards such as Kyrie Irving or Dame Lillard, Clarke can guard every type of player in the game. On that side of the ball, he is a big-bodied wizard with the athleticism to guard Zion Williamson and the toughness and IQ to disable skilled big men.
When it comes to Towns, his stock as a franchise centerpiece is without question, but his defense prompts several of them. This past year, Towns appeared more engaged after Butler’s departure but the young center wasn’t without his customary lapses. Clarke, on the other hand, is as lapse-less as they come. A crazy athlete standing 6’8 with Einstein resemblance in the post makes for a defensive catalyst, and one the T-Wolves desperately require after granting Gorgui Dieng, the ancient Taj Gibson, and Dario Saric the bulk of their Power Forward minutes.
Offensively, Clarke is also a lethal weapon. His scoring efficiency flew through the roof in his lone year at Gonzaga, a reflection of his soft touch around the rim and general shot selection intelligence. He finishes lobs, crashes the offensive glass, passes cleverly, and connects at well over 60% on floaters and post finishes. And here’s a dirty secret for you: (his shot mechanics underwent total renovation and his jumper has high upside).
Aside from Zion Williamson, Clarke possesses the highest immediate impact potential in the NBA. He is 23, which isn’t something well-liked by mock draft creators, but who cares? The dude is an elite fundamental basketball player with a ridiculous vertical who shot 70% from the field and will make the All-NBA defensive team in the very near future. I don’t care if he’s 28, if winning basketball games is a goal of yours (all you mock draft GM’s), then Clarke will do just that. Clarke will contribute positively from the moment he steps foot on a basketball court: college, overseas, NBA, the Olympics, for the reasons I just explained. Give me that over Nas Little or Cam Reddish, who I forgot were on the court half the time.