2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 3.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #8 & #10 After Lottery

#11. Minnesota Timberwolves — Brandon Clarke

So far on the 2019 NBA Draft board, this is the best fit between player and team. Brandon Clarke was a complete revelation in the 2018-19 college season, and it was clear he was the best player on the Gonzaga Bulldogs – despite many of the plaudits being rained upon his teammate Rui Hachimura – despite historic production from Clarke.

Clarke is a defensive menace with astonishing vertical athleticism that allows him to contest and block shots from all over the court. Beyond that, his brilliant finishing ability, soft touch around the basket and vastly improved jumper makes him a scintillating prospect for any team.

Previously on SDS, we have linked the Atlanta Hawks to Clarke, but in this mock, it is the Minnesota Timberwolves who take a chance on Clarke with the 11th overall pick. On paper, this is an astonishingly good fit.

Clarke could clean up the defensive miscues that offensive wunderkind Karl-Anthony Towns produces, and Towns could space out the floor on the offensive end and serve as the team’s offensive hub while Clarke runs hard to the rim to catch teams sleeping in transition.

Though the team would still be severely weighed down by the atrocious Andrew Wiggins contract, the future would be fairly bright in Minnesota with Clarke, Towns and second-year players Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop to build around.