The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Duke wing Isaiah Evans with the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a slot that opened after the team traded back from No. 28 as part of the Julius Randle deal. General manager Matt Lloyd confirmed the team had been considering Evans at their original first-round position before the slide.
Evans, who unexpectedly fell out of the opening round, averaged 14.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils last season. His length and perimeter shooting make him a potential plug-and-play rotation piece for a Timberwolves squad prioritizing wing depth.
The Timberwolves' move to trade back and still land Evans drew strong analytical praise. The draft grade from Yahoo Sports awarded Minnesota an 'A' for the selection, citing value relative to draft position. The Clippers also garnered positive marks for acquiring Henri Veesaar at No. 52 in a separate deal.
For Minnesota, the addition of Evans addresses a clear need for shooting and athleticism on the wing. The team now turns toward free agency, where it will look to shore up backup point guard minutes and interior defense behind Rudy Gobert.