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Minnesota Timberwolves’ Pending Free Agents

By Cooper Langby

Apr 11, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng (5) is congratulated by team mates after making a go ahead shot in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. The Thunder won 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng (5) is congratulated by team mates after making a go ahead shot in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. The Thunder won 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Omri Casspi

The Timberwolves have been Casspi’s fifth NBA home after he was signed to a rest of year contract to fill the bench spot of Nemanja Bjelica. Casspi has

Casspi has contributed 3.1 points and 1.3 rebounds in 16.9 minutes throughout 11 games for the Wolves.

Whether or not Thibodeau and co. like him enough to give him a proper contract next season remains unseen. Seeing as he has experience on lots of NBA teams, his veteran knowledge could be of use for the young Wolves.

Being involved in the Demarcus Cousin’s trade earlier this year, Casspi has been on three NBA team’s rosters this season. After beginning the season in Sacramento, he was traded to the Pelicans along with Demarcus Cousins.

In his one appearance with New Orléans, he managed 12 points in 24 minutes at small forward. Better yet, these 12 points came on 55.6 field goal percentage, with Casspi hitting 5 of his 9 shots. Casspi also managed 50 percent from the three-point line with two of his four shots going in.

Casspi is yet to show this prowess in Minnesota, making 45.2 percent from the field and a dismal 11.1 percent from three-point range. He has made just one of his nine attempts.

However, seven of these three-point attempts have come as his only shot behind the arc on the night. It seems Casspi knows when he isn’t feeling the three and doesn’t take any more throughout the night, instead focusing on higher-percentage shots.

If Casspi is able to put in some work learning the Timberwolves’ way of playing, I can see him back on the roster next year.

The players and coach seem to like him and Casspi himself seems to be quite happy playing in Minnesota (he is often seen with a smile on his face).

Casspi has had a turbulent year moving between teams, and I can’t see him signing a single-year deal. If the Timberwolves offer him a competitive multi-year deal, I expect Casspi may very well stick around.

The Timberwolves are looking for veteran presence and a stronger bench, and Casspi can provide on both those fronts.

Casspi might just be the replacement for Shabazz Muhammad as the Timberwolves go-to guy off the bench. I don’t think both Muhammad and Casspi would be offered deals from the Wolves and I think the Wolves would be more inclined to give Casspi an extension.

Casspi will definitely have interest from other teams, so if the Timberwolves can’t provide a competitive multi-year deal, Casspi will most likely end up on a different team next year.

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