Minnesota Timberwolves: Checking in on the ex-Wolves from last year
The Minnesota Timberwolves retained the core from the 2017-18 playoff squad, but some players have moved on. Where are those former Wolves playing this fall?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have, by and large, retained their key rotation players from last year’s playoff team. The eventual loss of Jimmy Butler and the acquisition of whomever he’s traded for will change this narrative, of course, but at least for now it largely rings true.
Let’s take a quick spin around the league (and the world) and see where all of the former Wolves from the 2017-18 team have landed.
The ‘New Teamers’
Some of last year’s Wolves have moved on to new deals with new teams.
First up is Nemanja Bjelica. After averaging 6.1 points and logging 22 starts in his 192 appearances for the Timberwolves, Bjelica became a staple of the team’s second unit.
I’m sure the Timberwolves would’ve loved to hold onto Bjelica, but his asking price got a little too high. In came Sacramento, and now Bjelica finds himself with a three year contract worth over $20 million. Bjelica was reportedly considering returning to play overseas after reneging on an offer that he had verbally agreed to in Philadelphia. Instead, he was convinced by Sacramento to stay stateside, and with money like that it’s not hard to see why.
The Wolves will face off against Bjelica in Sacramento for the first time on Nov. 9.
Next up is Amile Jefferson. Although he never got his chance to play for the Timberwolves despite his two-way contract status, he was a standout for the Iowa Wolves, earning a selection to the All-G League Second Team in his first year. Jefferson led the G League in rebounds and also broke the rookie record for double-doubles in a season. Why the Wolves didn’t give Jefferson a shot, we can’t be sure.
Instead, Jefferson has signed his second two-way contract, this time with the Orlando Magic. While he’ll spend most of his time with G-League affiliate Lakeland Magic, if Jefferson earns a call up this season he may get his chance to match-up against his old team in Minnesota on Jan. 4.
Finally, we have Shabazz Muhammad. After falling out of the rotation and getting released by the Wolves in the spring, Muhammad spent the rest of the season with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he averaged 8.5 points in 11 games. Muhammad has inked a new deal with the Bucks, however it’s unclear if the deal is guaranteed or simply for training camp which is why he makes this list.