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Minnesota Timberwolves: Jordan McLaughlin should earn a roster spot

By Andrew Neururer

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Jordan McLaughlin #26 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smiles during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Day 3 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2019 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Jordan McLaughlin #26 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smiles during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Day 3 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2019 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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While the Minnesota Timberwolves are thin at the point guard position, Jordan McLaughlin is making his case to become part of the team’s regular rotation.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are running thin at point guard after watching Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones leave the team this offseason. They are left with just Jeff Teague and newly acquired point guard, Shabazz Napier.

Teague and Napier both have one year left on their contracts. At the end of next season, Minnesota will have no remaining point guards on its roster as of today. A lot can change within a year but it would be wise to look ahead and assess what to do before that day comes.

A player who could help the team out this season is Jordan McLaughlin. Thus far, he’s had a good Summer League season in the small sample size we’ve seen. In five games, he’s averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

He’s also been shooting the ball well, at 46.2 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from downtown. This is impressive production in limited mintes, averaging 25.0 minutes per game.

Recently, on July 10 against the Miami Heat, he put on a clinic. He scored 17 points and added 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

He doesn’t necessarily need to play big minutes to make an impact, but in the small sample size during summer league play, he’s looked like a guy who could stick around.

McLaughlin played four seasons at the University of Southern California, earning 2017-18 All-Pac-12, 2018 All-Pac-12 Tourney, Pac-12 All-Defense and Pac-12 All-Freshman. In his final season at USC, he averaged 12.8 points, 7.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

In his lone year in the G-League for the Long Island Nets, he averaged 16.8 points, 5.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

In summer league, he’s shown he has the ability to handle the ball, shoot from 3-point range, score at the rim, and create offense for his teammates. These are all things the Timberwolves could use on their roster in the 2019-20 season.

https://twitter.com/nbagleague/status/1150255095633850368

This video is a perfect example of what he’s able to do when he’s on the floor. McLaughlin gets crafty with his dribble and finds newly signed two-way contract player, Naz Reid for the easy bucket.

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McLaughlin has shown through summer league and his G-League performances that he should be considered for a spot on the Timberwolves roster this upcoming season. As of now, getting him on a two-way contract would be wise because it will allow the team to see what he can do. He’s been impressive and has had a large hand in the Wolves being 5-0 so far in summer league.

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