​The Minnesota Timberwolves appear to have snagged a potential bargain with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Isaiah Evans from Duke after two seasons with the Blue Devils. Evans may be slender in frame, but his skill set suggests he could carve out a role in the league. Standing 6-foot-6, he averaged 15 points per game this past season while connecting on 36.1 percent of his three-point attempts for Duke. He showed more prominent perimeter shooting as a freshman, hitting an impressive 41.6 percent from three, a year when Duke’s ensemble of wing threats and freshmen like Cooper Flagg limited Evans’ role but did not diminish his shooting ability.
This weekend, Evans’ signing with the Timberwolves became official, as Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Duke product has agreed to a four-year contract with Minnesota. The move represents a notable development for a franchise eyeing depth and future potential rather than immediate perimeter fireworks. While the Timberwolves already boast veteran ball handlers and scorers in LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, Evans could become a valuable spark off the bench, particularly if he can heat up quickly from beyond the arc or stretch the floor in brief stints.
For Minnesota, the timing is advantageous. Evans doesn’t enter the league with the pressure of a rookie-scale salary looming, freeing him to focus on refining his game and adjusting to the pace and physicality of the NBA. His development path will likely involve continued improvements in consistency, decision-making, and shot selection, with the aim of becoming a reliable two-way contributor who can provide spaced shooting, capable defense, and versatility when deployed as a multi-position defender.
Evans’ progression will be watched to see whether his combination of height, shooting touch, and basketball IQ translates into meaningful on-court contributions. The Timberwolves will hope he can translate his college shooting into NBA accuracy, while also expanding his skill set to adapt to professional defenses and NBA rotations. If he demonstrates the ability to heat up quickly off the bench, he could carve out a meaningful niche as a three-and-D wing with potential for growth.
In the broader landscape of the 2026 draft class, this selection reflects Minnesota’s strategy of prioritizing length, shooting, and upside over immediate, high-profile notoriety. The four-year deal gives Evans security and the chance to develop within the Timberwolves’ system, with plenty of time to refine his mechanics, decision-making, and consistency. As he transitions from Duke to the NBA, Evans will be watched closely to determine how well his college shooting translates to the professional level and whether he can emerge as a dependable option for Minnesota’s rotation in the coming seasons.