While the Minnesota Timberwolves have a number of new arrivals this year, they have a number of departed players who’ve found landing spots elsewhere. Let’s check in on them.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had a whole lot of potential free agents this offseason, and as things turned out, only one of them stuck around in the form of Jeff Teague, who opted into his player option and never actually hit free agency.
This big number of departures came as a bit of a surprise to some fans, and the Timberwolves will certainly be looking different when they hit the court this upcoming season.
Derrick Rose – Detroit Pistons
Rose departed the Timberwolves to sign a two-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Pistons. With Reggie Jackson and Tim Frazier on the roster and a number of capable shooting guards, we can expect Rose to be a major part of the Pistons’ second unit and potentially earning a starting spot later in the season.
Taj Gibson – New York Knicks
One of the Wolves’ most important role players over the last couple seasons, Gibson left Minnesota for a two-year, $20 million deal in New York. Gibson may find some starting reps alongside Julius Randle in a dual-power forward lineup, otherwise will likely be his replacement off the bench.
Tyus Jones – Memphis Grizzlies
Now this one hurts, Minnesota’s own Tyus Jones was offered by the Grizzlies, and after a grueling wait until the deadline, the Wolves chose not to match. His new three-year, $27 million deal may see Jones finally lock down a starting spot, with rookie De’Anthony Melton the only true point guard on the roster. However with Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, and Andre Iguodala (at least for now) on the roster, Jones would have to work hard to keep himself as the first option at point guard.
Dario Saric – Phoenix Sons
Saric left the Timberwolves in a draft day trade after a short tenure in Minnesota. Now finding himself in Phoenix, Saric is probably the best power forward on the team’s roster, although they still have a number of spots to fill and will surely be the worst team in the Western Conference this year.
Anthony Tolliver – Portland Trail Blazers
Tolliver departed the Wolves for a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. Just as Tolliver completed his second tour of duty in Minnesota, he will be joining the Blazers for the second time in his career. Tolliver has spent time with eight different NBA teams, and will likely come off the bench as a veteran presence with the second unit.
Cam Reynolds – Milwaukee Bucks
After finishing the season with the Wolves last year, Reynolds will be joining the Bucks on a two-way contract. There seemed to be a chance he would stick with the Wolves after being around the team for most of the summer, but he was released shortly after the draft and quickly caught on with Milwaukee.
Mitch Creek – South East Melbourne Phoenix
After achieving his NBA dream last year, Creek is returning to his native Australia to play for the new expansion team in the country’s NBL. His deal is reportedly for two years with a player option on the third and an NBA-out clause.
Along with those players, there’s a few departures who are yet to find themselves a new landing spot as of time of writing. We may see some of these names in the NBA next season, with the G League and oversees also a potential option for a few of these guys.
The Unsigned
Luol Deng, Jerryd Bayless, Jared Terrell, C.J. Williams
Of course, a number of new departures also means a number of new arrivals that we will get to see in Wolves colors for the first time this season.