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Minnesota Timberwolves: Projecting the roster and guard rotation

By Jack Borman

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 21: President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and Head Coach Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for a portrait on May 21, 2019 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 21: President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and Head Coach Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for a portrait on May 21, 2019 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves Jeff Teague
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 09: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards during the game on March 9, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images). /

Who’s in?

Jack Borman: 

I see only two true lead guards making the Wolves’ NBA roster for this season – Jeff Teague and Shabazz Napier.

Teague is the incumbent, veteran point guard that has two years of experience playing with the franchise cornerstones Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. He knows what Saunders and offensive coordinator Pablo Prigioni expect of him and it’s already showing in the preseason. Teague has shown an increased propensity to shoot threes in favor of dribbling the ball to no end.

Napier has led the team’s second unit offense throughout the preseason. A veteran himself, he will be valuable because of his experience playing in defensive coordinator David Vanterpool’s advanced defensive system during his days in Portland alongside new Wolves Noah Vonleh and Jake Layman. Additionally, Napier is a career 35.4 percent 3-point shooter, which is an upgrade for a team that sorrily needs perimeter firepower.

It should be noted that here that Jarrett Culver has seen extended minutes running the point in each Minnesota preseason game thus far. However, I foresee Culver spending most of his time in the Wolves’ wing rotation.

Culver undoubtedly looks most comfortable on the floor while initiating the offense, which is unique for a rookie who spent more of his time on the wing at Texas Tech. Given that both Saunders and Rosas have been notably optimistic about Jarrett’s potential to add value from the point guard spot, I would fully expect him to see time running the offense on opening night in Brooklyn next week.

Andrew Ites:

I think there’s a good possibility that Shabazz Napier ends up being the best point guard on this team by the end of the season.

Teague is 31 years old and coming off of the most injury-riddled season of his career. He hasn’t looked good in the preseason thus far which could be chalked up to rust coming off of that injury, but this could be the new normal for a small guard who’s past his prime.

Napier has been a very solid backup in Brooklyn and Portland, and I could see him seizing the starting job if Teague’s best days are behind him.

Ben Beecken:

Teague and Napier are the only two pure point guards that stand a shot of making this team.

Jack’s point regarding Culver is a good one; the rookie will likely end up initiating much of the second unit’s offense with Napier serving in more of a spot-up shooter role. Culver is more valuable with the ball in his hands than as a stand-still shooter from the perimeter, and Napier can play either role acceptably.

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