NBA Draft Rumors: Former No. 1 Recruit Could Be in Play for Timberwolves; Familiar Faces Too

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Isaiah Collier, Southern California
Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the 27th and 37th overall picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, and while this class is not seen as the most top-heavy group to ever come through, there is a lot of intriguing talent at the bottom half of the 1st, and into the top of the 2nd round… which is right where the Wolves sit.

If Chris Finch wants to get his Minnesota Timberwolves to the NBA Finals next season, it will require Tim Connelly getting the fringes of the roster right. The Wolves need a shooter, preferably one that doubles as a point guard.

2024 NBA Draft Rumors: USC’s Isaiah Collier falling down NBA Draft Board

USC’s Isaiah Collier, who landed on campus as the No. 1 overall high school basketball prospect in the country just one summer ago, could fit that bill perfectly. Collier was supposed to be the big headliner of a groundbreaking 2023 Trojans class that also included Bronny James.

Fast forward to summer 2024, and it’s clear things didn’t go as planned in SoCal last season, which is the biggest reason as to why Collier is falling down draft boards and no longer seen as a lottery pick by most NBA Draft experts.

Isaiah Collier, the No. 1 overall recruit from the 2023 high school class, is sliding down boards in the pre-draft process. After a very inconsistent season at USC, plus concerns around his shooting ability, Collier is likely to slip into the 20s on draft night. A potential steal for a contending team, if in the right situation for his development.

Evan Sidery – Forbes Sports

Could Isaiah Collier be drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves?

The Timberwolves would be an ideal landing spot for Collier, who could use a mentor like 17-year veteran, Mike Conley, as he adjusts to yet another step up in competition. There would be no pressure for the youngster to play a major role in winning, as a rookie.

The better he were to play, the more minutes he would get from Mike, who wouldn’t argue about less minutes during the regular season, and a chance to stay healthier for the playoffs. There’s no doubting how much talent this kid has.

Related: Timberwolves ‘Definitely’ Interested in Drafting Bronny James, But the Feeling is Not Mutual

Once he is ready to run with the ones a little bit, he’d be surrounded by some of the most elite offensive weapons in the league, not to mention a defender like Rudy Gobert to show him the ropes defensively, and save his butt when needed.

Isaiah Collier would be a dream pick for the Minnesota Timberwolves at 27, if he is still there, but he hasn’t been brought in for a workout yet. It may be tough to believe he’ll slip that far, which could be why he hasn’t been in yet.

Could Cam Christie be drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Collier isn’t the only talented kid who is expected to go somewhere around where both Timberwolves picks are currently slotted. Another one of those very young talents with a very high ceiling is Minnesota Gophers freshman guard Cam Christie, who is being mocked somewhere in the first half of the 2nd round, in most mock drafts.

He has been creeping his way closer and closer to the first round, though. Then this week, Yahoo staff writer Krysten Peek pulled the trigger, and gave the people what they want by mocking Christie to the Timberwolves, not at 37… but 27.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

Cam Christie, G

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 190 pounds | Class: Freshman | Minnesota

Christie is a late riser and could sneak into the back half of the first round with how well he’s been performing in team workouts. He averaged 11.3 points and shot 39% from 3-point range during his freshman year at Minnesota.

Krysten Peek – Yahoo Sports

Uncertain if he would ultimately declare for the draft, Christie kept his name in the pool and now has an opportunity to play just miles from where he went to college.

It would be a nice way for the Timberwolves to engage a bought-in portion of the fanbase, and like Collier, Christie has a profile that could work, if given time to fully develop. Others who are being projected to go near the Wolves are Terrence Shannon Jr (Illinois) and Zach Edey (Purdue).

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