Checking in on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ top 3 offseason additions

Noah Vonleh

A reclamation project in his own right, Noah Vonleh is attempting to salvage his career as a serviceable NBA rotation player in spite of his early career label as a bust.

In the 2014 draft, Vonleh was selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Hornets. During his lone season at the University of Indiana, Vonleh was named the 2013-14 Big Ten Rookie of the Year after averaging 11.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Joining a squad that included All-Star Kemba Walker and fellow Indiana alumni Cody Zeller, Vonleh was drafted as the power forward of the future for Charlotte.

However, at only 19 years old, Vonleh was unable to impact the game in any way, leading to him averaging less than 5 points per game over his first four seasons.

Following stops in Charlotte, Portland, and Chicago, Vonleh displayed glimpses of his collegiate promise in an expanded role on an atrocious New York Knicks team. Averaging 8.4 point, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game, Vonleh was given the opportunity to operate select plays as a ball-handler and display skills previously unseen from the 6-foot-10 big man.

During the 2019 offseason, Vonleh took a one-year, $2 million contract from the Wolves, believing that his continued improvement would lead to a larger free agent contract in the following offseason.

Thus far, Vonleh has performed well in his back-up center role to Towns. In seven games, Vonleh has featured per game averages at-or-above his previous marks in New York.

Vonleh’s greatest strides this season can be found on the defensive end, where Vanterpool’s defensive system of centers dropping in their coverage of pick-and-roll situations has allowed Vonleh to protect the rim through his great athleticism.

In this clip, Vonleh steps up slightly to discourage Spencer Dinwiddie from attacking the rim before sliding back to break up the lob attempt to DeAndre Jordan. Overall, it’s a really impressive play from Vonleh.

Lacking the size of his fellow Wolves big men, it is imperative for Vonleh to use his speed and strength to battle larger centers in minutes where Towns is off the court.

Despite the recent resurgence of Gorgui Dieng and increased playing time of Jordan Bell, the Wolves will need Vonleh to continue providing stability behind Towns for a variety of small-ball lineups if they hope to maintain success into April and May.