Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Tracking new players’ progress part 1

By Andrew Ites

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 12: D'Angelo Russell #0 high fives Malik Beasley #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Target Center on February 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 115-108. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 12: D'Angelo Russell #0 high fives Malik Beasley #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Target Center on February 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 115-108. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 12: Juan Hernangomez #41 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball against the Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter of the game at Target Center on February 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 115-108. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Juancho Hernangomez

Juancho Hernangomez is another former Nugget that is enjoying an expanded role in Minnesota as he’s one of the few big men left on the roster.

Hernangomez is playing nearly 29 minutes per game while filling up the box score with 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per night. Like Beasley, Juancho has also been hot from three in a Wolves uniform knocking down 46.5 percent of his 4.8 attempts per game from downtown.

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Hernangomez has been forced into a difficult role on the defensive end of the floor as he’s often had to guard the opposition’s biggest player while Naz Reid deals with foul trouble or James Johnson needs a breather. However, Juancho does have some switchability on the defensive end that is essential in Saunders’ scheme, and he should look much better when he gets to consistently play next to another big body.

Hernangomez is also set to hit restricted free agency this summer, but his market should be a bit more tepid than Malik Beasley. Gersson Rosas certainly thought that he’d like to re-sign each of the Nuggets he acquired this summer if the market allows, and I think he should be able to accomplish that goal with Juancho.

Next. Timberwolves: Tracking new players' progress part 2. dark

Hernangomez probably won’t shoot over 46 percent from three for the entirety of his Wolves tenure, but he should be a good fit on this new-look roster on both ends of the floor even if that shooting regresses.

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