As the Minnesota Timberwolves continue their push toward championship contention, a succession plan at point guard appears to be taking shape. With the 17th pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, mock drafts are increasingly connecting Minnesota to BYU’s towering playmaker Egor Demin.
The 6’9″ Russian guard has been climbing draft boards following an impressive showing at the NBA Combine, where his combination of elite size and advanced court vision has scouts intrigued by his potential.
Egor Demin Timberwolves’ Target at 17?
CSN’s latest mock draft analysis specifically targets the Timberwolves’ need for point guard succession planning. The projection highlights Demin’s playmaking ability as a perfect complement to Minnesota’s star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, suggesting the court general could be the ideal prospect to groom behind the aging Conley.
CSN’s Bjorn Bergstrom explained, “Starting point guard Mike Conley Jr. is 37 years old, and the Wolves need to quickly find a replacement. Demin is the type of mature court general that could play with anyone, especially a player like Anthony Edwards, whom Demin could feed at all. His 5.5 assists during his lone season of college basketball tell the story.”
The pairing makes logical sense given Minnesota’s timeline. Conley remains under contract through the 2025-26 season after signing a two-year, $21 million extension, but his minutes and production have gradually declined. This arrangement would give Demin valuable development time behind one of the league’s most respected veteran court generals.
How Demin Fits Minnesota’s Long-Term Vision
The “court general” comparison seems apt for Demin, whose primary strengths are his elite passing and floor vision. His 2024-25 season averages of 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds showcase his well-rounded game, though his outside shooting remained something to work on.
However, his NBA Combine performance was eye-opening. He connected on 17-of-25 spot-up threes and 14-of-30 off-the-dribble threes, suggesting significant improvement in this critical area.
That is a very loud Egor Demin report 👀
If you ace multiple parts of the combine, you can see your stock start to really heat up. Teams have always been excited, even during some rough patches of NCAA play.
Awesome “wildcard” w/ workouts approaching #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/EN2L30jGOa
— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) May 19, 2025
At 6’9″, Demin offers Minnesota positional size at point guard, creating potential for creative lineups alongside Edwards and defensive wing Jaden McDaniels. His passing vision would be particularly valuable in pick-and-roll situations with Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle.
Edwards has developed into Minnesota’s undisputed first option, and pairing him with Demin’s precision passing would allow him to focus more on scoring and attacking rather than initiating offense. The Russian guard’s court manipulation and eye movement create passing angles that could maximize Edwards’ cutting and spot-up opportunities.
Defensively, while not considered a lockdown defender, Demin’s length and anticipation help him disrupt passing lanes. His rim protection potential could also prove valuable in the Wolves’ existing schemes.
Development would be gradual, with Demin likely competing for backup minutes with Rob Dillingham and Bones Hyland initially. Minnesota’s veteran depth means he wouldn’t be rushed, allowing time to adjust to NBA speed and physicality.
KEEP READING: Why College Basketball Players Keep Transfer Options Open After Declaring for the NBA Draft
His most significant areas for improvement, such as outside shooting consistency and reducing turnovers, could be addressed in this environment.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
