NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 players for Minnesota Timbervolves to pick at No. 11
By Alex Weber
Tyler Herro (G) — Kentucky
Herro speaks the language of buckets, quite literally. The 6’6 two-guard out of Kentucky is the best shooter in the class at his peak. I’m aware his percentages finished significantly below Dylan Windler and Cam Johnson, but hear me out. Herro is just 19. I’m going to be a hypocrite after just suggesting age is worthless, but, with his youth comes potential, and the silky scorer from Kenosha, Wisconsin has it in droves.
As a rabid Kentucky fan, of course, I watched every single game he played and was even present for a few. The kid is smooth beyond belief and his agility is eye-popping in person but less noticeable on television. When studying the potential draftees in the 11th pick range, Herro won’t hold much recognition, but perhaps he should. His percentages from the field and three-point line fail to draw attention, but a solo season of college ball isn’t an ideal sample size.
If you’re really bored, google his high school tapes. Those aren’t boring. Though he’s battling former Pokemon Go! all-stars, his cockiness and ability to score effortlessly from all three levels should draw your attention. At Kentucky, the scoring opportunities weren’t as ample and he struggled to adjust to shooting off the catch rather than off the dribble. Once he has a whole season to solely focus on practicing catch-and-shoot NBA threes, Herro’s scoring output will skyrocket. In a league where the best three-point shooting team is a perennial Finals guest, taking a shooter with a lottery pick isn’t ridiculous.
His collection of skills extends far beyond his shot. Herro developed tremendously as a passer over the winter, turning questionable flings into crisp and accurate passes from all over the court. The 19-year-old also thrived as a rebounder and attacked the rim on both ends with two sure hands. As for the question most have with his game, the defense, well, he competes and refuses laziness no matter the matchup. If you want to be sold on Herro as the next Tony Allen, then watch him shut down Fletcher Magee when Kentucky beat Wofford this past March.
When the right situation presents itself, Herro will flourish, I promise you. He measured out at 6’6 with shoes on (because NBA players are the only species in the world measured in this fashion), is a fluid athlete, a clever basketball player, and someone with 20+ point-per-game scoring potential at the next level. I truly believe that. Minnesota heads into free agency with Josh Okogie as the only shooting guard on roster, who I like, but has a lower ceiling than Herro, for sure.