How can Anthony Brown help the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Anthony Brown to a two-way contract late last month, so how can the youngster with brief NBA experience help this season?
Anthony Brown was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 34th overall pick in the 2015 draft. Since joining the league, Brown has spent time with three different teams and amassed just 40 appearances in the top league.
So how can his little experience benefit the Timberwolves?
The first and most obvious way is through the kind of contract he was signed to. The two-way contracts were introduced this year to provide an additional two roster spots to teams for players that can spend up to 45 days in the NBA, and the rest of their time for the respective team’s G-League affiliate.
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Anthony Brown will be spending most of his time playing for the Iowa Wolves, yet he should get the chance to prove his worth to Tom Thibodeau when his time comes to lace up for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Brown has already had an impressive G-League career, and was last year selected as a starter to the All-Star game, averaging 20.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
The small forward hasn’t seen as much success in the NBA, averaging 4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game, although managing 11 starts, in his first NBA season with the Lakers, and 3.9 points and 3 rebounds split between 11 games with the Pelicans and Orlando Magic last year.
Anthony Brown is a high-caliber signing for a two-way contract after it was reported a number of agents would be telling their clients not to sign those types of deals.
The contracts lock players into one NBA team, even though they may not be used at the top level, whilst paying just $75,000, and roughly $204,000 should they spend the maximum 45 days in the NBA.
Brown is a high-profile G-League player and received both a multi-year deal (from which he was waived) and a 10-day contract from NBA teams last season and thus committing for the Timberwolves comes as quite a big deal.
The Timberwolves will be hoping that Brown can translate some of his G-League ability into NBA talents this season. His possible 45 days could come at a stretch when the Timberwolves need some numbers, due to injury or fatigue, or perhaps just when Tom Thibodeau thinks the time is right for Brown to prove his worth.
Anthony Brown has been given NBA chances before but is yet to make anything stick. With the opportunity he has been given by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he will be out to prove that next year, he should be on the 15-man roster, and not just a part time addition.
Next: Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking the roster
After he lifts the Iowa Wolves to a title contender in the G-League, look for Anthony Brown to make some waves when he hits the court for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season.