What is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ plan at backup point guard?
By Ben Beecken
Minnesota Timberwolves’ plan at backup point guard: A new acquisition
Option No. 3: A new acquisition
The Wolves could decide that McLaughlin won’t cut it as the primary backup point guard, or McLaughlin may decide to head for greener pastures.
If that’s the case, the Wolves could acquire a new backup, either through the draft, free agency, or a trade.
If the Wolves hang onto the No. 17 pick in this year’s draft, there should be a handful of players available who project as solid backup point guards. Names like North Carolina’s Cole Anthony and Alabama’s Kira Lewis, Jr. stick out as possibly on the board in the mid-to-high teens.
The Wolves could also ship that selection and a contract or two to another team for an existing NBA player who would step in and be Russell’s backup.
Just last offseason, the Wolves piggybacked on the Golden State-Brooklyn sign-and-trade that saw Kevin Durant go to the Nets and Russell to the Warriors, and Minnesota landed last year’s backup point guard, Shabazz Napier, as well as wing Treveon Graham.
While neither Napier or Graham is on the team anymore, they were incremental improvements over the players they were replacing (okay, we can argue about Tyus Jones being better, but Napier over Graham was more about their respective salaries than anything else) and an example of Rosas’ creativity.
Finally, there’s free agency. While the Wolves won’t have much in the way of cap space as they try to navigate restricted free agency, Minnesota could always bring in a veteran. Names like Michael Carter-Williams, Yogi Ferrell, Raul Neto, and several others will be on the market.
Also, don’t count out Argentinian star Facundo Campazzo. There is reportedly legitimate mutual interest, largely due to the relationship between Campazzo and fellow countryman and Wolves assistant coach Pablo Prigioni — but don’t dismiss the attractive opportunity that the Wolves could offer Facu as he makes the jump stateside.
Other suitors apparently include Dallas and San Antonio, and a path to playing time may be a bit more convoluted in either of those locations.
Regardless of what the Wolves ultimately land on, kudos to McLaughlin for making this decision a bit more complicated than the front office likely expected. He was legitimately good in February and in March and clearly deserves a role in the NBA.
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Now, will the Minnesota Timberwolves be the team to ink McLaughlin in free agency? Or will they look elsewhere and allow J-Mac to walk?