The Timberwolves’ 2019 Draft Class: A Foundation Under Construction

The 2019 NBA Draft represented a critical inflection point for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coming off a disappointing 36–46 season that ended with the departure of head coach Tom Thibodeau and trade of Jimmy Butler, the franchise was searching for a new identity. With Karl-Anthony Towns already locked in as a cornerstone, the team needed to surround him with young, affordable talent that could grow together. The draft class of 2019—featuring three picks and a mix of college stars and developmental projects—was supposed to accelerate that rebuild. Nearly four years later, the results are a mixed bag: one undrafted gem, a second-round scorer who flashed but never stuck, and a lottery pick who was traded away before finding his footing elsewhere. This article examines each player’s journey, the draft’s broader context, and how the decisions made in June 2019 continue to ripple through the Timberwolves’ present and future.

The 2019 Draft Landscape: Where the Timberwolves Stood

In the months leading up to the 2019 draft, the Timberwolves held the 11th overall pick but were openly seeking a trade to move up. President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas, hired just weeks earlier, had a clear mandate: inject athleticism, two-way versatility, and shooting into a roster that too often lacked it. The team also held two second-round selections (Nos. 43 and 58 overall), giving Rosas multiple shots to unearth rotational pieces. The draft was deep with talented wings and forwards, headlined by Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and RJ Barrett, but the tier of players available around the late lottery included intriguing options like Tyler Herro, Brandon Clarke, and Sekou Doumbouya.

On draft night, Rosas made his move. The Timberwolves traded their 11th pick along with Dario Šarić to the Phoenix Suns for the sixth overall selection. The price was steep—Šarić was a proven stretch-four who had started 81 games the year prior—but the target was clear: a versatile, defensive-minded wing who could eventually become a two-way contributor. That player was Jarrett Culver. The trade signaled a win-now mentality, but the 2019 class was also about building for the long haul, as evidenced by the second-round picks that followed.

Jarrett Culver: The Lottery Swing That Didn’t Connect

Selected sixth overall out of Texas Tech, Jarrett Culver arrived in Minnesota with considerable fanfare. He had just led the Red Raiders to the NCAA Championship Game, averaging 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while earning First-Team All-America honors. Scouts praised his 6’8” wingspan, defensive instincts, and ability to create off the dribble. The knock was his jump shot—he shot just 30.4% from three in his sophomore season—but the Timberwolves believed his mechanics could be refined.

Rookie Season: Growing Pains

Culver started 35 of 63 games as a rookie, averaging 9.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. His shooting from deep was a major concern—29.9%—and he struggled to finish at the rim against NBA length. However, his defensive potential was evident: he often guarded the opponent’s best perimeter player and showed flashes of the disruptive on-ball presence that made him a lottery pick. The Timberwolves hoped a full offseason of development would cure his offensive inefficiencies.

Sophomore Slide and Trade to Memphis

Year two was even more difficult. Culver’s minutes dropped to 24.4 per game, and his counting stats dipped to 8.8 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting an abysmal 24.4% from three. A broken nose and a dislocated finger limited his continuity, and the coaching upheaval—Ryan Saunders replaced mid-season by Chris Finch—didn’t help. In August 2021, the Timberwolves traded Culver to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a package for Patrick Beverley. The move effectively ended his tenure in Minnesota after just two seasons, and he appeared in only 37 games for Memphis before being waived.

In retrospect, Culver’s selection is a cautionary tale about projecting college role players into NBA stars. He lacked the shooting and handle to play off-ball alongside D’Angelo Russell, and his best position—a combo forward who initiates offense—overlapped with the skills of Anthony Edwards, who was drafted the following year. While Culver has since found a niche as a defensive specialist with the San Antonio Spurs, the Timberwolves’ decision to trade up for him remains one of the franchise’s most debated moves.

Jaylen Nowell: A Second-Round Spark That Burned Bright, Briefly

With the 43rd overall pick, the Timberwolves selected Jaylen Nowell out of the University of Washington. Nowell was a scoring guard with a smooth mid-range game and a knack for creating his own shot. In his sophomore season, he averaged 16.2 points and 3.1 assists while shooting 44% from the field. He wasn’t an elite athlete, but his basketball IQ and footwork made him a dangerous isolation scorer.

Two-Way Contract to Rotation Player

Nowell spent his rookie season on a two-way contract, splitting time between the Timberwolves and their Iowa Wolves G League affiliate. In the G League, he averaged 21.1 points and 5.1 assists, earning a standard NBA contract for the 2020–21 season. Over the next three years, Nowell became a reliable scoring threat off the bench, posting 8.5 points per game in 2021–22 and 10.8 the following season. His best night as a Timberwolf came in March 2023, when he dropped 30 points on the Miami Heat, showcasing the instant offense that made him a fan favorite.

Inconsistency and Departure

Despite his scoring bursts, Nowell’s overall game had limitations. He was a below-average defender, his three-point shooting hovered around 33%, and he often struggled to balance scoring and playmaking. The Timberwolves’ depth at guard—with Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley, and Jordan McLaughlin ahead of him—limited his opportunities. In the 2023 offseason, Nowell signed a two-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, leaving Minnesota as an unrestricted free agent. His tenure with the Timberwolves was a classic example of a second-round pick exceeding expectations but ultimately not fitting into the team’s long-term rotation.

Naz Reid: The Undrafted Gem Who Became a Core Piece

The Timberwolves’ final selection in the 2019 draft came at pick No. 58, the second-to-last pick overall. With it, they chose Naz Reid, a 6’9” center from LSU who had entered the draft after an inconsistent college career. Reid had the physical tools—a strong frame, soft hands, and a budding perimeter shot—but fell to the late second round due to concerns about his conditioning and defensive awareness.

From Two-Way Contract to Fan Favorite

Reid signed a two-way contract and spent his rookie season developing in the G League and spot minutes. He averaged 9.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in limited NBA action during his rookie year, showing a surprising ability to stretch the floor (33% from three on low volume). The Timberwolves converted his contract to a standard deal in 2020, and he began carving out a role as Karl-Anthony Towns’ primary backup. By his third season, Reid was averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 34.5% from deep. His 2022–23 campaign was a breakout: he posted career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (4.9), and minutes (18.4), and his two-way versatility made him an invaluable piece off the bench.

The Contract and Future in Minnesota

In June 2023, Reid signed a three-year, $42 million contract extension, a significant investment for a backup center. The deal was met with some skepticism—$14 million per year for a non-starter—but Reid’s skill set is rare: he can space the floor, protect the rim (1.1 blocks per game in 2023–24), and even handle the ball in short rolls. When Towns missed 52 games in 2023–24 due to a calf strain, Reid stepped into the starting lineup and averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, helping the Timberwolves secure the third seed in the Western Conference.

Reid’s development is a testament to the Timberwolves’ player development staff and to his own relentless work ethic. He is the only player from the 2019 draft class still on the roster, and he could be a critical piece for years to come, especially if the team moves on from Towns or shifts its frontcourt alignment. For a pick that almost didn’t happen—the 58th selection is often traded or used on a stash-and-develop project—Reid’s emergence is a massive win for the franchise.

The 2019 draft class cannot be discussed in a vacuum. The trade-up for Culver cost the Timberwolves Dario Šarić, a key role player who would have helped their spacing and depth. Additionally, the team used a future first-round pick (which became the 2021 pick used to draft Jared Butler) in a separate deal. These transactions shaped the roster for 2020, when the Timberwolves won the draft lottery and selected Anthony Edwards with the top pick. Edwards’ presence changed everything: he immediately became the franchise’s alpha scorer and leader, rendering the need for a high-usage wing like Culver obsolete.

The draft also influenced the Timberwolves’ approach to free agency. Having invested in young players like Culver, Nowell, and Reid, the front office was reluctant to overspend on veteran bench pieces, instead relying on internal development. That philosophy paid off with Reid but failed with Culver. The 2019 class, in hindsight, was a microcosm of the Rosas era: aggressive trades, a focus on athleticism, and a willingness to swing for upside—with mixed results.

How the 2019 Draft Shapes the Timberwolves’ Present and Future

As the Timberwolves enter the 2025–26 season, the 2019 draft class has largely moved on, but its fingerprints remain. Naz Reid is the only holdover, and he has become a fan favorite and a vital part of a team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2024. His game has evolved to the point where he can play alongside Towns or Rudy Gobert in certain lineups, giving coach Chris Finch matchup flexibility that few teams can replicate.

The absence of Jarrett Culver and Jaylen Nowell also tells a story about roster construction. The Timberwolves’ current backcourt is built around Edwards, Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Donte DiVincenzo—all players with different skill sets than what Culver or Nowell provided. Had the 2019 picks developed differently, the franchise might have had more trade assets or financial flexibility. Instead, the misses forced the front office to rely on free agency and later drafts to fill gaps.

Looking ahead, the 2019 draft class underscores the importance of hitting on late-round picks. Reid provides elite surplus value on a rookie-scale contract that paid him less than $2 million per season for his first four years. That savings allowed the Timberwolves to absorb Rudy Gobert’s massive contract and still afford quality role players. If the Timberwolves can continue to find gems in the second round—like they did with Reid—the rest of the roster can afford to take risks in the lottery.

Conclusion: Mixed Results, Clear Lessons

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2019 draft class will be remembered as one of the franchise’s most consequential—not because it produced a star, but because it represents the highs and lows of team-building. Jarrett Culver was a swing that missed, a reminder that trading up for a player with a flawed skill set is a gamble. Jaylen Nowell was a pleasant surprise who ultimately outgrew his role. And Naz Reid was a masterstroke, a late-second-round pick who became a $42 million man and a key component of a contender.

In the broader context of the Timberwolves’ trajectory, the 2019 draft class helped pave the way for the team’s current core. The trade-up for Culver didn’t work, but it showed aggression that later led to the acquisition of Rudy Gobert. The development of Reid demonstrated that patience and player development can turn a flier into a foundational piece. For a franchise that has often struggled in the draft, the 2019 class is a mixed bag—but one that still contains valuable lessons for the future.