Is Marcus Georges-Hunt just a camp body?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed Marcus Georges-Hunt to a training camp deal, but could he stick around for the long run?
Excluding the newly signed Marcus Georges-Hunt or Melo Trimble, the Minnesota Timberwolves still have three roster spots remaining. Georges-Hunt is reported to only be recruited for training camp. While Melo Trimble has a partially-guaranteed contract that may also leave him without a team.
Whilst Tom Thibodeau is undoubtedly looking for talent to fill those spots, if either of those players proves their worth throughout training camp, they may find their name on the Timberwolves’ roster for the regular season.
So does Georges-Hunt stand a chance?
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He went undrafted in 2016 after averaging 16.9 points per game as a college senior. The 6-foot-6 guard spent most of the last year with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G-League, but was given a taste of NBA basketball. He signed a 10-day contract with Miami Heat, but did not play and in April signed with the Orlando Magic, where he appeared in five NBA games.
He averaged 2.8 points in 9.6 minutes per game, shooting just 28.6 percent from the field including 50 percent from 3-point range, connecting on one of his two shots attempted from deep.
His NBA stats aren’t great, but they were his first taste of NBA basketball, and he could improve this year with some confidence.
Among his five-game stretch was one 20 minute performance in which Georges-Hunt managed eight points while shooting 50 percent from the field, connecting on his one 3-point field goal attempt and making 3-for-4 of his free throws, coupled with seven rebounds.
A performance of this caliber is something that many NBA teams would welcome onto their rosters, as a bench player to provide a role off the bench.
For Georges-Hunt, his G-League stats have been his strong selling point. He averaged 15.8 points in 36.4 minutes per game, to go with 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and a steal. Through his 45 appearances, he started 40 games, and was voted to the All-NBDL third-team.
If he can lift his NBA appearances to a similar level performance of his G-League stats, he could find himself a stable member of the Timberwolves’ bench.
For now, the Timberwolves have gotten themselves a great signing, with no commitment to take him past training camp, but a look at a player they could add to their roster for the season (or even their remaining two-way contract.)
He’s has been projected as a very short-term prospect for the Timberwolves to play with throughout training camp, however, that gives him all the more reason to prove himself.
Georges-Hunt will be playing for his NBA future when he suits up in the Timberwolves’ training facilities, and will be bringing his A-game (and hopefully his G-League stats) along for the ride.
The Timberwolves are giving themselves the best opportunity to trial prospects in an attempt to find their final three roster additions.
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He has had a brief taste of NBA competition and will be fighting for more when he trains with the Timberwolves this offseason. Although it looks like he could be dropped off along the way, I wouldn’t rule him out too early.