Predicting Zach LaVine's Impact for Minnesota Timberwolves This Season

The Minnesota Timberwolves' Zach LaVine has the potential to be a future All-Star, but what can fans expect from the 19-year-old in his rookie season? 

LaVine was taken with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. His college numbers weren't amazing, but his athleticism and ability to shoot from long range were enough for the Wolves to take him in the first round.

As a freshman at UCLA, he only averaged 9.4 points and 1.8 assists per game, but he managed to shoot an impressive 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.  

His struggles in college were mostly due to his inability to score in isolation and his inability to run a successful pick-and-roll. Matt Kamalsky of DraftExpress had a similar opinion:

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Using 9.7 possessions per-game, he ranks as the lowest usage player in this group, and as the least efficient scorer in both one-on-one and pick and roll situations. On the positive side, LaVine's athleticism shows here, as 32.1% of his possessions came in transition, more than any other player, and while he scored an above average 1.148 points per-catch and shoot jump shot, the team drafting him probably won't be overly concerned with how he looked on paper this past season as focused as they'll be on putting him in position to reach his lofty potential a few years from now.

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LaVine was drafted as a point guard, but due to his size (6'5") and struggles in the passing game, he may be better suited on the wing. LaVine's athleticism and catch-and-shoot ability are prototypical attributes for any successful 2-guard.  

It's also worth noting that the Timberwolves already have Ricky Rubio, Mo Williams and J.J. Barea as point guards.   

LaVine's biggest strength is clearly his athletic ability. This summer, LaVine showcased his elite leaping abilities with a Twitter dunk contest:

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just accepted @GRIII challenge at the @PaniniAmerica shoot and now challenge @22wiggins to beat this! https://t.co/KBw6hO0Y11 #hoopsrookie

— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) August 3, 2014"

Even though LaVine may be an exciting prospect, his game is still way too raw to make an immediate impact. As seen in the infograph below, he was very inefficient in the Las Vegas Summer League (stats courtesy of NBA.com).

MPG	FG%	3P%	TOV	PTS
32.3	.397	.263	3.33	15.7

He was able to score over 15 points per game, but his poor shooting percentage and high turnover rate proved his offensive immaturity.  

LaVine also struggled in the Wolves' first preseason game versus the Indiana Pacers. The rookie shot 2-of-9 from the field and had as many turnovers as he did points: five.  

Fans can expect similar numbers from LaVine during the regular season. With several guards on the roster, it'll be tough for LaVine to get on the floor.  

Ron Hoskins/Getty Images

According to ESPN, the Timberwolves depth chart has LaVine as the third-string shooting guard. This could be misleading, because players such as Shabazz Muhammad and Corey Brewer have been known to play the 2-guard spot as well.

With the roster presently constructed, it will be hard for LaVine to average over 10 minutes per game.

He also struggles on defense due to his thin frame.  His skinniness allowed players to bulldoze past him and get into the paint with ease. Fortunately, LaVine is only 19 years old, which means he still has plenty of time to bulk up to a more typical NBA weight.  

If he can mature both on offense and defense, he could find a small spot in the Wolves' rotation. LaVine has all of the potential to be an NBA stud, but right now, he is nothing more than a mere bench player who could occasionally receive spot minutes.

Projected 2014-15 Season Stat Line

MPG	FG%	3P%	TRB	AST	TOV	PTS
9.5	.380	.310	3.5	0.5	1.0	5.5

All stats are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted.

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