Ex-Timberwolves finding new homes

The Minnesota Timberwolves have undergone a makeover this offseason, which has brought a number of big names to Minnesota. The offseason changes, however, displaced a number of Timberwolves’ from their roster positions, some of which have found new teams for the upcoming season. So what familiar faces will appear when the Timberwolves matchup against some new rivals?

Firstly, we had the big draft-night trade that brought Jimmy Butler our way. However, this sent fan-favorite Zach LaVine and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2016 number five pick Kris Dunn packing to Chicago, as well as setting up a pick-swap that saw us drop from seventh to sixteenth.

LaVine was a two-time dunk champion in his tenure with Minnesota and averaged 13.7 points and 3.2 assists per 28.9 minutes. He also started 120 of his 206 appearances.

Kris Dunn in his lone season as a Timberwolf averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 assists in 17.1 minutes per game. He also won Dunking with Wolves’ Newcomer of the Year award this season, albeit not against the fiercest of competition.

When the Timberwolves face up against Chicago early next year, we’ll be facing up against two former Wolves once heralded as the future of the franchise.

Another big-name Minnesota guard that was sent packing this offseason was Ricky Rubio. First drafted in 2009 by the Timberwolves, he debuted in 2011 and experienced plenty of ups and downs during his time in Minnesota.

Rubio averaged 10.3 points, 2.1 steals, 8.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 31.8 minutes per game.

Minnesota sent Rubio to the Utah Jazz in return for a protected 2018 first-round pick, to make room for the arrival of free agent point guard Jeff Teague. The Timberwolves face Utah in their first home game of the season, on Oct. 20.

Although not a member of the Timberwolves for a long time, Omri Casspi joined Minnesota early this year and played a key role in a stretch of games. Casspi made just 13 appearances and averaged 3.5 points shooting 50 percent from the field in 17.1 minutes.

Casspi will be joining the NBA-champion Warriors next season, as he signed a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent. The first time the two teams square off is November 8 this year in California.

Another Timberwolves’ player used sparingly last season, although this time due to a blood condition, was Adreian Payne. Payne played just three games for Atlanta after they drafted him before being traded to the Timberwolves.

Payne averaged 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game, throughout 99 appearances.

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The former Minnesota forward reportedly bet on himself early in free agency, turning down offers to play overseas with hopes of keeping his NBA career alive. Although probably not the result he was hoping for, Payne will get a chance to prove himself at an NBA level again next year, but will spend most of his time in the G-League after signing a two-way contract with Orlando Magic. The Timberwolves and Magic first face off Nov. 22 in Minneapolis, although there’s no guarantee Payne will be on the Magic’s roster at this time.

A number of other Timberwolves are no longer on the roster, but are yet to find new teams for the upcoming season, although plenty of rumors are around.

Shabazz Muhammad, Dunking with Wolves’ Sixth Man of the Year award winner, has his qualifying offer from the Timberwolves renounced during free agency, making him an unrestricted free agent.

However, now that he is still yet to sign a deal, the Timberwolves’ would like to see Muhammad back for the minimum.

Muhammad averaged 9.7 points and 3 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game in 235 appearances.

Jordan Hill, a player who suited up for the Wolves on just seven occasions last season, was waived after his minimal usage.

Hill averaged 1.7 points and 2 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per game in his seven appearances for the Timberwolves.

News on Hill has been sparse during free agency, with the Charlotte Hornets reportedly showing interest shortly after Hill was waived, but nothing since.

Brandon Rush got more game time than expected last season after LaVine was injured, yet he didn’t make enough of an impression for the Timberwolves’ to keep him around. Rush averaged 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and an assist per 21.9 minutes, starting 33 of his 47 appearances.

News on Rush has also been quiet as of late, although the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers all reportedly had interest at one point.

John Lucas III appeared in just five games for the Timberwolves last year before he was waived, and averaged 0.4 points in 2.2 minutes.

I haven’t encountered any rumors of John Lucas III signing with any team, but he was recently seen coaching at an elite high school basketball camp. Perhaps a shift to coaching is on the cards?

Lance Stephenson signed two 10-day contracts with the Minnesota Timberwolves throughout the last season, and averaged 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.2 minutes, throughout six appearances.

Stephenson signed a multi-year deal with Indiana Pacers, and the two teams will face off in Minneapolis on Oct. 24.

Last but not least, former Timberwolves’ center Nikola Pekovic was waived this offseason, after an injury-plagued career. It seems unlikely Pekovic will ever return to play for an NBA team.

One thing is for sure, the Timberwolves’ have seen a number of changes this offseason. While many are confident it is for the better and predict the Timberwolves’ will finally break their playoff drought this season, we will have to wait and see.

It will certainly be an interesting season, and I personally am looking forward to seeing the Timberwolves’ match up against some familiar faces.