Timberwolves Free Agency: Washington Wizards

Otto Porter, Jr.

Let’s start with the reminder that Porter is a restricted free agent, and the Washington Wizards have made it a priority to attempt to re-sign the budding star forward.

And a budding star he is — an intriguing story line to watch this summer. Porter just turned 24 years old in early June, and blossomed in his fourth professional season.

Consider his three-point percentages from his rookie season through this past year: 19 percent as a rookie, 33.7 percent in his second season, 36.7 percent as a third-year player, and an impressive 43.4 percent in 2016-17. He rebounds well as a small forward as well, pulling down five boards per game last season and notching a defensive rebound rate of 17.1.

Porter has never had a high usage rate and is largely used as a spot-up shooter in the Wizards offense, but as a solid defender with good size, Porter is exactly the kind of player that teams are looking for to slot into their starting lineups.

Indeed, a Timberwolves lineup with Rubio, Andrew Wiggins, and Otto Porter, Jr. would be formidable, and include enough length and athleticism on defense to be effective.

Verdict: Porter will be paid handsomely in the off-season, and it seems likely that the Wizards will retain his services. But the Timberwolves should consider getting involved in courting the dead-eye three-point shooter.