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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Impact of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 03: Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles the ball while being guarded by Sam Hauser #10 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the second half at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 3, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 03: Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles the ball while being guarded by Sam Hauser #10 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the second half at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 3, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

player. 86. . Shooting Guard. Creighton Bluejays. Khyri Thomas. 20

Age: 21 (5/8/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 210 pounds, 6’10”
Slash Line: .538/.411/.788
Season Averages: 31.7 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.9 3PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves should work the wings at No. 20 overall. Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones dominate the minutes at point guard, and Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins receive a lion’s share of the playing time at the 2 and the 3, but Minnesota needs depth along the perimeter.

It’s fair to question how much playing time a wing would actually receive in Minnesota, but Khyri Thomas would provide exactly what this team needs.

Thomas is a 6’3″ shooting guard, but his 6’10” wingspan and NBA-level athleticism more than address that concern. He’s also a rugged defender who routinely hounds ball-handlers and excels at playing the passing lanes.

That certainly fits the Tom Thibodeau mold, which implies that Thomas could earn playing time with the Timberwolves as soon as his rookie season.

Offensively, Thomas is one of the best three-point shooters in the 2018 NBA Draft. He can create to some extent, but he’s at his best when he’s allowed to work without the ball and shoot in rhythm as a catch-and-shoot marksman.

If the Timberwolves want to make the leap to elite, they must improve upon their ranking of No. 30 in three-point field goals made in 2017-18. Thomas would help them do so.

Knicks Note: Khyri Thomas is a long-shot target for the New York Knicks, but if he somehow slides down board, he could be an option in Round 2.

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