New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft: Finding the next Nikola Jokic
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft: #1 Pick
Minnesota Timberwolves. 1. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Guard. Anthony Edwards. 86
At only 19 years of age, Anthony Edwards is definitely a gamble, as he shoots just 31.3 percent from 3-point range, but he has plus size for the position at 6-foot-5, 225 lbs. and has flashed the type of scoring ability that could make him part of a special trio with Russell and Karl-Anthony Townes.
Minnesota could go a lot of ways with this pick, as they don’t have a true point guard and may decide that LaMelo Ball’s star power is too much to pass up.
The problem is that LaMelo can’t guard anyone and neither can Russell, so it would possibly be the worst defensive backcourt in the league and Minnesota’s defense is already suspect.
Edwards is probably the safest pick, as he is a dynamic scorer with either hand and already has an NBA frame.
The issues with him are shooting and shot selection. Edwards took too many contested 3-pointers and mid-range jumpers this season, which could have been a product of his high usage rate.
He definitely won’t have the ball in his hands as much in Minnesota, and his slashing and ability to penetrate will work well alongside Russell and Beasley.
Edwards is not the consensus number one pick that everyone would like in this position, but he is probably the most solid pick for Minnesota and one they won’t pass up.