Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Breaking down Shabazz Napier’s role with the Minnesota Timberwolves

By Jack Borman

BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 4: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Brooklyn Nets. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 4: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Brooklyn Nets. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Minnesota Timberwolves, Shabazz Napier
CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 23: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Brooklyn Nets. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After stops in Portland and Brooklyn, new backup point guard Shabazz Napier has crucial familiarity with David Vanterpool and Pablo Prigioni, and could bring pivotal value beyond his talents on the floor.

While the Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t involved with the D’Angelo Russell sign-and-trade deal the way Wolves fans had hoped they would be, their activity netted a strong role player on a very team-friendly contract in Shabazz Napier.

The 6-foot-1 backup point guard is set to earn just $1.88 million in the final season of his two-year, $3.8 million contact.

Although he’s not D-Lo, Timberwolves fans should still be excited about the reality of Napier entering the fold as a rotational lead guard, because he provides value in areas that are central to a pace and space offense.

In addition to his key strengths, the former UCONN legend should prove to be very useful because of previous stops in his career.

In 2017-18, Napier played 74 games in his second season with an up-and-coming Trail Blazers squad, where he was coached by Minnesota defensive coordinator David Vanterpool. This past season, the Roxbury, Mass. native backed up D’Angelo Russell in Brooklyn while developing under the tutelage of then-Brooklyn development coach and current Wolves offensive coordinator Pablo Prigioni.

Consequently, Shabazz turned in the two best seasons of his five-year career.

In Portland, he averaged 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while registering shooting splits of 42.0/37.6/84.1 percent (FG/3PT/FT) on a career-high 20.7 minutes per game.

His 1.1 steals per game is the most he’s averaged per game, so hopefully Napier can hit the ground running and have more success in Vanterpool’s complex defense.

During his one season in the Big Apple, Napier proved to be a trusted bench player for Kenny Atkinson. He turned in career highs in points (9.4), assists (2.6), made 3s and attempted 3s (1.4, 4.1), made free throws and free throws attempted (2.1 and 2.5), usage percentage (23.4), AST/TO ratio (2.17), and PACE (102.80), the number of possessions a player plays per 48 minutes.

Here are some quick hitters on Shabazz Napier.

Career Highs (per RealGM) 

  • Points: 32, twice
  • Rebounds: 8
  • Assists: 11
  • Steals: 3, 18 times
  • 3s Made: 6
  • Free Throws Made: 11

Fast Facts

  • Two-time National Champion at UCONN in 2011 and 2014.
  • 2014 NCAA Tournament Most Oustanding Player
  • 2010-11 Big East All-Freshman Team
  • 2013-14 American Athletic Conference POTY
  • 2013-14 Bob Cousy Award winner (Nation’s best PG)
  • 82nd-ranked prospect in 247 Sports’ Class of 2010 HS Rankings.

Now, let’s break down his game.