Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 things we’ve learned so far in Las Vegas

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 26: Keita Bates-Diop #33 and Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 26: Keita Bates-Diop #33 and Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: Amile Jefferson #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: Amile Jefferson #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)

Amile Jefferson remains a double-double machine

Amile Jefferson starred for the Iowa Wolves in the G-League last year, averaging 17.8 points and 12.8 rebounds, shooting 62.4 percent from the field. Thus far in Las Vegas, he’s put up 10.7 points and 13 rebounds per game, double-doubling in two of three games.

Jefferson isn’t the offensive focal point of this team, of course, with both rookie draft picks and more than a couple high-usage guards in the backcourt trying to make their mark in a short amount of time, Jefferson has more or less been relegated to cleaning up his teammates’ messes on the glass and scoring around the rim — and he’s largely been successful in doing so.

While the first year player is just 6-foot-9, he uses his 7-foot wingspan, plus impressive athleticism and hustle to get to loose balls and corral rebounds. He’s the type of player that could potentially guard both threes and fours and find a job as a fringe rotation player in the NBA.

It will be interesting to see if the Wolves try and ink him to their second two-way contract, although Jefferson may not be all too interested in playing that role for a second straight year. There’s always a chance that he could be in the running for the final roster spot with the big club, too.