Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 cheap free agent options (part 1)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially entered desperation mode with the remaining free agents.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been busy bees this summer, orchestrating two trades and three free agent signings.

However, that doesn’t mean Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden are done wheeling and dealing. Having only ten players on their roster and little money left to spend, the front office has their work cut out for them.

I’m about to throw a lot of math at you so be ready.

The Wolves’ current roster plus the Kevin Martin stretch provision means they have $97,014,989 tied up in contracts.

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Given that the 2017-18 NBA salary cap is set at $99,093,000, that gives Minnesota a little over $2 million to play with.

Even if Thibodeau uses that $2 million on a player, he can still sign other players for the veteran minimum. The minimum pay scale for veterans is determined based on the number of years they have been in the league. The more years of experience, the higher the salary.

Given that players who have played eight years or more in the NBA will make more than $2 million per season anyways (according to the veteran minimum scale) the remaining cap room is likely to be used on a player with less experience.

Barring a trade or other moves by Thibodeau, this is the only way the Wolves will be able to acquire talent this season.

Given the pickle Minnesota is currently in, here are five players they might be able to obtain with their salary cap situation.

5. Aaron Brooks

Aaron Brooks has had his fair share of success in this league, including averaging 19.6 points per game back in the 2009-10 season with the Houston Rockets.

Now 32 however, things look a lot different for the six-foot point guard. He’s played for five teams in the past six seasons and has seen his minutes and statistics decline steadily.

Despite averaging just 5 points per game last season, Brooks can still bring a scoring punch off the bench, something the Timberwolves desperately need.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

With Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones being the only point guards who are currently on the roster, Thibodeau and Layden will definitely be looking to add another ball handler.

Brooks may not be the best player for the Wolves given his, and the other Wolves’ point guards, short stature. The last thing Thibs will want is three short point guards who struggle to defend their position.

One reason Brooks to Minnesota makes sense is Brooks’ connection to Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson.

Having played in Chicago for two seasons they are familiar with and have a relationship with one another. We have already seen how important this can be for Thibs so why not one more time?

4. Thomas Robinson

Thomas Robinson and the next guy on this list are a couple of young players the Timberwolves might be interested in.

The ex-Los Angeles Laker made barely over $1 million last season which means he may fit perfectly with what the Wolves can afford. According to the veteran minimum salary scale

According to the veteran minimum salary scale, Robinson, who has five years of NBA experience, could make a minimum of $1,709,538 next season. With Minnesota’s ability to go slightly over that, they may be able to offer him a better deal than most teams.

However, I’m not sold that Minnesota should use that precious little money on a man who only played din 48 games last season.

While he was drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2012 for a reason, the University of Kansas product has never come close to living up to the hype. For his career, he averaged 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds. Not exactly eye-popping numbers.

According to HoopHype, Robinson is simply looking for some stability:

"I just want that stability. I want to be comfortable. I think every player is looking for that. If I have that, I feel like I can open up my game to another level and help a team even more. I’ve been through a lot since I entered the league. Being in the same place for more than one year – with the same players, the same coaching staff, the same system – would only help me get better. It would allow me to be more comfortable. And if you let me get comfortable, there’s no telling what you’ll get from me."

If Minnesota does bring him in, he would provide nice depth on the bench and a solid big man who could be needed in a pinch.

3. John Jenkins

John Jenkins might be one of the best low-key shooting options left on the market.

He’s had very limited playing time throughout his career, having only appeared in 145 games in five seasons, but he has flashed his outside shooting potential.

Jenkins is a career 36.4 percent 3-point shooter, having had his best season back in 2014-15. That year, he shot 40.4 percent on 2.2 3-point attempts per game.

According to Darren Wolfson, Jenkins nailed a June workout for Thibodeau and co.

Last year, the former Atlanta Hawk made less than $500,000 as a member of the Suns and the Westchester Knicks, a D-League team.

If he were ready to make the jump back to the NBA, Minnesota might be a great landing spot.

2. Randy Foye

Ah, Randy Foye. He holds a special, albeit not very positive, place in Timberwolves’ fans hearts.

Foye, who was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Brandon Roy shortly after the 2006 NBA Draft always played in Roy’s shadow.

The former Timberwolf played the first three seasons of his career with Minnesota before they shipped him to the Washington Wizards. Now, looking to make a career circle,

Now, looking to make a career circle, might be interested in returning to the land of 10,000 Lakes. Or at least Thibodeau is interested in him:

The former Villanova product has become somewhat of a journeyman late in his career, having played for three teams in the past two seasons.

Last year with the Brooklyn Nets, Foye played 69 games, starting 40 of them and averaged 5.2 points per game.

At 33 years old, he may not have much left in the tank but he could play a similar role to pre-Zach LaVine injury Brandon Rush.

Considering that Minnesota needs outside shooting and he’s a career 36.6 percent outside shooter this makes a lot of sense for the Timberwolves.

1. Leandro Barbosa

Leandro Barbosa used to be one of the fastest players in the NBA.

Although that time has passed, he can still be a somewhat effective player in the league. Last season he averaged 6.3 points in only 14.4 minutes per game, demonstrating that he can be effective in a small role.

He had a $4 million player option for next season that the Phoenix Suns ended up declining. Phoenix wants to fully commit to their youth movement which is the reason they released Barbosa.

https://twitter.com/TheBlurBarbosa/status/882030232328450048

Since Barbosa has more than ten seasons in the NBA he’s eligible for the largest veteran minimum contract of $2,328,652 which is more than the Wolves would be able to offer with their cap space.

However, there’s also the chance he will be able to command a higher salary from one of the few teams with remaining cap space.

At 6-foot-3, the Brazilian Blur may struggle to defend most players on the perimeter. However, you can’t doubt his hustle and energy he brings.

A Barbosa-Crawford backcourt off the bench would be remarkably fun and exciting to watch. There wouldn’t be a shortage of highlight plays for Wolves’ fans.