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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, Jordan McLaughlin
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Jordan McLaughlin #26 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the Finals of the Las Vegas Summer League. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Who’s Out?

Jack Borman:

Jordan McLaughlin.

McLaughlin is on an island here simply because there aren’t many options for the Wolves to turn to on the roster. He was excellent for Prigioni’s summer league squad, taking care of the ball, shooting it well from deep, and effectively running an up-tempo offense that can get chaotic if the wrong player is running the show.

Despite not making the NBA team, it should be no surprise that Jordan carved out a place for himself in the Timberwolves’ organization. He played for the Long Island Nets, the G League affiliate for the Brooklyn Nets. Before arriving in Minnesota, Prigioni was a very successful development coach in Brooklyn and spent time with McLaughlin in Nets’ training camp and evaluating him throughout the season on Long Island.

He signed a two-way contract with the team earlier this summer and will likely spend his season as the starting point guard for the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G League affiliate.

If Teague goes down (and with his bouts with injuries in Minnesota that seems likely), McLaughlin has the potential to play a role similar to the one Jerryd Bayless played last season. Given his familiarity with the system and relationship with Prigioni, there is reason to believe McLaughlin would fill in admirably.

Andrew Ites:

Jordan McLaughlin is a solid player to have on a two-way contract, but I believe he’ll spend most of his time in Iowa this season if he manages not to get waived before the end of training camp.

We did see the likes of Jared Terrell getting significant minutes down the stretch last season after the Wolves’ guard rotation was decimated with injuries, so it would be useful to keep a young guard like McLaughlin on a two-way deal this year.

However, McLaughlin has received similar playing to Tyrone Wallace this preseason so he might be closer to making the roster than we think.

Ben Beecken:

Wallace and McLaughlin with both be out to start the season. Of course, with McLaughlin on a two-way deal, he’ll serve as the third-string point guard and certainly spend some nights over the course of the season on the Timberwolves bench.

Wallace will simply be a victim of a numbers game, and McLaughlin needs to spend more time developing in the G League.

Next. Previewing Wolves' potential rivals in 2019-20. dark

Point guard is easily the thinnest position for the Wolves, but Saunders and Rosas don’t appear to be all that concerned about their depth. They’ll rely on Teague and Napier with a dose of Culver and McLaughlin as the emergency third-string option. If anything else happens, they’ll figure it out as they go.

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