Minnesota Timberwolves: Kelan Martin reportedly signed to two-way contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly signing Kelan Martin, who appeared for the Wolves in Las Vegas Summer League, to a two-way contract.

It’s safe to say that the Minnesota Timberwolves had a successful run at Las Vegas Summer League this year.

And it goes beyond the team’s 6-1 performance and a berth in the championship game.

The Wolves went into Summer League planning to ink undrafted rookie Naz Reid to a two-way contract. They were so impressed with the big man’s performance in Vegas that they ultimately offered him a four-year deal with guaranteed money.

Then, the Timberwolves signed point guard Jordan McLaughlin to a two-way deal, effectively handing him the third-string point guard role on the squad with only two true point guards on the Wolves’ active roster.

Now, the Wolves will reportedly sign Kelan Martin, who was the standout wing from the Summer Wolves, to their second two-way contract.

Kelan Martin is 6-foot-7 with an impressive 7-foot wingspan who went undrafted following his senior year at Butler. In college, he shot 34.8 percent from beyond the arc, including an improvement to 36.4 percent in his final season as a Bulldog.

After playing overseas last season, Martin is back stateside and was impressive in seven starts with the Wolves in Las Vegas.

We called him out more than once as a key player in Minnesota’s 6-0 start to Summer League: Jack Borman named him an effective offensive player at all three levels, yours truly highlighted his 15 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, as well as a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Kedar Hiremath called for the Wolves to sign him to a contract after summer play had wrapped up.

Martin appeared to have solid feel throughout play in Las Vegas, and shot well enough from beyond the arc to show that there still could be some development in his long-range ability. His wingspan, toughness and nose for the ball are all NBA-caliber, and it make sense to give him this opportunity.

This gives the Wolves an eighth or ninth wing that could vie for minutes, although Martin is only likely to crack the rotation if there are a rash of injuries or significant trades that could sap the depth on the big club. In a sudden reversal from last year’s team, Minnesota now has a wing-heavy roster, and Martin only adds to the number.

Good for Kelan, and good for the Wolves to sign an intriguing prospect and make the most of the Summer League experience.