The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Joan Beringer with the 17th overall pick. As a rim protector and lob threat with a high upside, Beringer could end up being a great pick. However, he certainly comes with risk as a raw 18-year-old prospect, and there were plenty of other options on the board. Given Minnesota's need for playmaking and perimeter shot creation, Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis would have been an ideal pick. Jakucionis ended up being drafted by the Miami Heat with the 20th pick. Regardless, there's no denying that Jakucionis would have been a perfect fit with the Wolves, and this decision could haunt them.
Jakucionis' would have been an ideal fit with the Wolves
At 6-foot-5, Jakucionis has an intriguing blend of size, playmaking, and self-creation. In his lone season at Illinois, Jakucionis averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists with 44/31.8/84.5 shooting splits. Jakucionis thrives as a pick-and-roll ball handler and is a crafty playmaker. Notably, he posted an impressive 26 percent assist rate. Furthermore, he is a strong finisher around the rim who is capable of creating his own shot. Jakucionis' 5.1 free throws per game speak volumes to his ability to attack the rim.
While he shot just 31.8 percent from beyond the arc, he averaged 5.2 3-pointers and routinely took diffcult shots. Undoubtedly, Jakucionis' decision-making as both a shooter and playmaker needs to improve.
Nevertheless, Jakucionis' upside is clear, and he was considered a lottery pick throughout the pre-draft cycle. At points of the season, Jakucionis was considered a top-five pick. The Wolves shouldn't have passed on a chance to take a player with this much talent who could contribute immediately at pick 17.
Kasparas Jakucionis P&R playmaking/scoring tape.
26% AST (1.27 A/TO) — 94th %-ile in P&R handling possessions. pic.twitter.com/gaj1ZRqqat
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) June 1, 2025
The Wolves' need for a playmaker point guard who can generate rim pressure was clear after the Western Conference. Mike Conley is 37, so finding a long-term point guard solution would be ideal. Last year's first-round pick, Rob Dillingham, has this much-desired skill set along with tons of upside. Regardless, Jakucionis offers a different element with his size, and the two guards could co-exist nicely. If the Wolves drafted Jakucionis, they could have a long-term point guard rotation with him and Dillingham.
The draft is unpredictable, and Beringer could end up being the perfect pick for the Wolves. Nevertheless, given the Wolves' need for a playmaking guard with shot creation chops, Jakucionis seemed like a logical pick. If Jakucionis becomes a star in Miami, the Wolves could regret passing on him for years.