Minnesota Timberwolves 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Demin was one of the more hyped up draft prospects during the early portion of the 2024-25 season before hitting a wall at the start of Big 12 play. If Demin can improve his jumper at the next level, he can be one of the best guards in his class when it's all said and done. That will be his swing skill. The Timberwolves drafted Rob Dillingham at No. 8 last year, but starting PG Mike Conley is nearing the end of his playing career.

Wolf was named to the All-Big Ten second team last season, averaging 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 blocks on 49.7% shooting from the field. He ranked eighth in the country in total rebounds (360) and 15th in defensive box plus-minus (plus-5.2). The near 7-footer possesses an innate ability to lead fastbreaks and has a flashy game with the ball in his hands. The Timberwolves didn't have much playing time available for rookies this season, but Wolf would give the team some more frontcourt depth.

The Timberwolves have some questions forthcoming in the frontcourt over the next couple of years. Julius Randle has starred in the playoffs but has a player option this summer. Naz Reid is a free agent. Rudy Gobert turns 33 in June. Sorber is an absolutely massive body that I think would tick some boxes for head of basketball operations Tim Connelly. He's fluid and coordinated at 6-9 to 6-10, but moreover possesses a mammoth wingspan that I wouldn't be stunned to see land in the 7-4 range. His frame is massive with broad shoulders.

Beyond that, he has this innate feel for the game as a passer and playmaker that Connelly has tended to value in his big men going back to even Denver, when he selected Nikola Jokić. It's easy to see Minnesota valuing Sorber as a big man with real feel for the game as a developmental project next year who could hopefully step into a more substantive role in his second and third seasons.

Pro Comparison: Lonzo Ball

Nolan Traore is in the midst of one of his best stretches of the season. He's going to enter the draft with the field's highest assist percentage regardless, but now he's confidently stepping into three-point makes and creating for himself with visible decisiveness.

Shooting struggles and inefficiency caused by athletic limitations had scared scouts off. But the bar was awfully high entering the season. And now the 18-year-old has looked highly effective generating offense as a starting point guard in Pro A.

Scouting report: Leaning into the versatility of an out-of-the-box prospect such as Wolf, who shouldered significant playmaking responsibilities for Michigan as a 7-footer, could be interesting. Wolf's skill level, creativity and overall instincts on both ends of the floor give him a higher ceiling than your typical 21-year-old prospect, especially with the development trajectory he has been on the past three years. -- Givony

NBA intel and fit: The Pistons breaking through and making the playoffs conveyed this pick to the Timberwolves, who have a nice opportunity to add talent after having traded away most of their draft capital since Tim Connelly took over as president. Wolf would give them a versatile frontcourt player capable of contributing sooner than later.

Minnesota will also consider using this pick to improve its roster as it pushes to contend around an ascending Anthony Edwards. -- Woo

Philon started for an elite team all year as a true freshman and made big contributions despite not having a reliable outside jumper yet. The 6'4 guard has one of the better handles in the class, and he does a tremendous job manipulating pace to punch holes in the opposing defense. He's a solid live-dribble passer who can kick out to teammates for threes, and he has a developing mid-range/floater game to score even when he doesn't make it all the way to the rim. Philon's defense is also intriguing with quick hands that generated the most steals on the Crimson Tide by a big margin. The catch with Philon is he isn't a great outside shooter yet (31.5 percent from deep) and he has trouble finishing over length. If the shot comes around, his game feels built for the playoffs.

Murray-Boyles is highly impactful on defense without being overly flashy about it. More of a workman who puts up walls on defense than a high-flying, acrobatic disruptor. I wish I could count the number of times I've watched someone attempt to methodically disassemble him, only to crumple up like a crashed car when they try to move him or gaze on helplessly as he fully palms the ball after he snatches it out of their hands. He'll have to find ways to add value on offense, but the Timberwolves can put CMB on a Jaden McDaniels path, keeping the offense simple for him at first so that they can reap the benefits of his defense.

McNeeley is a winner who adds toughness, passing, shooting and energy as a wing who can do a little of everything. He played out of his natural position at times this season with UConn and was thrust into a facilitating role, but it helped showcase his skill as a downhill weapon who can see the floor and function in the NBA as a secondary creator.

Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards and scores from everywhere. The Timberwolves could use that type of dynamic ability from a role player, since Clifford can offer some creation and passing on top of his foundational skills. And plus with Nickeil Alexander-Walker set to hit free agency, Minnesota might need someone who's ready sooner than later.

Might it be time to find a cheap big man? Both Naz Reid and Julius Randle have player options this summer, and Rudy Gobert will be 33 next season with only two guaranteed seasons remaining on his contract. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It's a bit strange he isn't a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he's also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside, making him a worthy gamble despite his age for a win-now team like Minnesota.