NBA Draft 2017: Final Mock Draft: Who goes where?

7) Minnesota Timberwolves- Dennis Smith Jr., Point Guard, North Carolina State, Freshman

Stats per game 2016-17: 34.8 MIN/18.1 PTS/52 eFG%/35.9 3PT%/6.2 AST/4.6 REB/1.9 STL/0.4 BLK

Measurements: 6’3” height/195 lbs.

A Royal Pain Prospect Profile: Dennis Smith Jr.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has stated that Minnesota will select the best player available regardless of position, which leads me to think they will take another point guard. Lauri Markkanen has been rumored to land here with the Wolves’ need for a stretch four, but he doesn’t defend or rebound well enough for Thibs. That leads me to NC State’s Dennis Smith Jr. He is an athletic point guard that can score from all three levels with the tools to be a solid defender. Smith will benefit from NBA spacing and is comfortable playing on or off the ball. Drafting Smith would mean the Wolves would continue their shopping of Ricky Rubio while sliding last year’s first round pick Kris Dunn to the two spot.

A wild-card for this pick is OG Anunoby. He fits the Thibodeau mold as a tough-nosed defender and is the perfect partner for Karl Anthony-Towns as a small-ball four.