Using advanced stats to find 8 perfect role-player fits for the Minnesota Timberwolves
By Tyler Walton
All-Around Fits
Below are the players who may not have excelled in terms of spot-up shooting or cutting efficiency, but were above the 50th percentile in each while hitting the 75th percentile in Defensive PIPM.
Larry Nance Jr.— 6-foot-9, 7-foot-1 wingspan
Forward/Center, Cleveland Cavaliers
- DPIPM: 1.39 / 89th percentile
- Spot-Up PPP: 1.05 / 67th
- Cutter PPP: 1.31 / 56th
Nance checks just about every box as a starting 4 for the Wolves. He’s high-energy, an outstanding rebounder, switchable on defense while also offering help in the paint, and effective on offense where he gets almost all of his points off assists.
He raised his 3-point percentage to 35.2 percent on 2.8 attempts per game this year, and he’s also been effective cutting to the basket for layups and dunks.
If Gersson Rosas could acquire him for a reasonable price, Nance would be an awesome fit in Minnesota.
Alex Caruso – 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6 wingspan
Guard, Los Angeles Lakers
- DPIPM: 1.53 / 90th percentile
- Spot-Up PPP: 1.03 / 62nd
- Cutter PPP: 1.3 / 55th
As the fifth player on this list to have played in either Los Angeles or Germany (Isaac Bonga played in both), Alex Caruso would be another great pickup for Minnesota.
His reputation speaks for itself as he’s been one of the most impactful bench players in the league and a key contributor for the 49-14 Los Angeles Lakers.
Caruso will be a free agent in 2021 and it will be interesting to see what type of offers he draws. There are always other backup point guards available, but few who can give the type of defensive leadership Caruso has shown. Will he be worth the price for Rosas and the Wolves?
Meyers Leonard – 7-foot-1, 7-foot-3 wingspan
Center, Miami Heat
- DPIPM: 1.49 / 90th percentile
- Spot-Up PPP: 1.07 PPP / 70th
- Cutter PPP: 1.39 PPP / 72nd
Although not known for his defense, Leonard took a big step forward this year in Miami and drew praise from coach Erik Spoelstra for his communication and leadership on that end.
Offensively, he’s a career 39 percent 3-point shooter who made 42.9 percent this year and ranked in the 99th percentile in spot-up shooting a year ago. He’s also been an effective pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop option, ranking in the 87th percentile on plays he finished two years in a row.
With Minnesota looking to develop Naz Reid as a backup center, Leonard doesn’t make the most sense in this year’s free agency class, but he could be a good option later on if things don’t work out with Naz.
So, there you have it. Eight players who would be good fits with the Wolves statistically. There are others who fit the criteria, but these are the ones who made the most sense based on their position, age, salary, and overall availability.
It’s worth noting that both Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez were above the 75th percentile in cutting and spot-up shooting a year ago, though they fell below those thresholds this season.
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It will be interesting to see if any of these eight players end up on the Wolves’ roster over the next few years.