Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 4 players who need more playing time

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 1: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves enters the arena prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 1: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves enters the arena prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the New York Knicks during the game on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the New York Knicks during the game on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Tyus Jones

Ah, Tyus Jones, surprise, surprise.

Unlike the other guys on this list, Jones is a plus/minus darling, as the Timberwolves have an 8.5 net rating with him on the court and a 0.0 rating with him off. That positive net rating would be a lot higher if it was simply with the starting lineup.

Although I’m not nearly as high on Jones as others, even I must admit he deserves more than 18.3 minutes per game (that number would be a lot lower if you took out his starts).

Jones may be the worst offensive player most night when he steps on the floor, but his high basketball I.Q., willingness to make the extra pass, and ability to set up his teammates make him an extremely good fit with this roster.

Unfortunately, no matter what he does, it never appears to be enough for Thibodeau, as he seems more than happy to ride Teague through thick and thin. This then takes away some of the motivation to play hard, as players know they are going to go right back to the bench regardless of the success they have.

Next: 5 players the Timberwolves should target in the buyout market

Jones could easily play five more minutes per game, taking most of them from Teague. However, Thibodeau could even experiment with a ttwo-guard lineup of Jones and Teague similar to what he played last year in Jones and Kris Dunn. That will never happen, but a man can dream.

Home/Timberwolves News