Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 Most Valuable Players so far this season

1. Jordan McLaughlin

It’s safe to say that the Minnesota fanbase has fallen in love with McLaughlin’s game. After all, he has a lot of similar characteristics to Tyus Jones, in that he doesn’t make many mistakes, he hustles hard and is a pest on defense.

McLaughlin signed a two-way contract last summer and has exceeded expectations, enough to likely warrant a new contract with the team. If given the chance and the team can work things out with money, the Timberwolves should be giving him a long-term deal.

He’s approaching his 45-day limit that he can spend with the team, and the Wolves will need him for the rest of the season if it resumes.

This season, he’s played in 30 games, starting two. Overall, McLaughlin is averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. He’s also shot the ball efficiently, going 48.9 percent from the field and 38.2 percent on 3-point attempts.

He will need to work on his free throws, shooting 66.7 percent on limited attempts. But in the two games he started, McLaughlin averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 0.5 steals per game. It’s obviously a small sample size, but it’s good to see a two-way undrafted rookie have such success when given the opportunity.

McLaughlin is constantly sniffing out plays and this game against the Chicago Bulls is no different than what he has been doing all season.

Also, for a guy standing  just 5-foot-11, he may have the most poster- worthy dunks on the roster this season.

https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1220891774215839744

He’s been an incredibly fun player to watch and deserves to see a long-term deal for the body of work he has done.

With all the variables that have occurred this season and a few players just missing the cut, Towns, Dieng and McLaughlin have been the Timberwolves three most valuable players this season — and in that order.