Minnesota Timberwolves in-market bubble begins this week

The Minnesota Timberwolves began their in-market bubble Monday after nearly 200 days without playing basketball.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who were not invited to Orlando for the NBA’s restart, have begun their in-market bubble, which allows the team to practice and scrimmage against each other.

Previously, only one player had been allowed in each gym at a time, with restrictions that included the number of coaches that could be present and the fact that everyone involved had to wear a mask.

Minnesota Timberwolves in-market bubble begins this week

In this new in-market operation means that the Timberwolves provide private living facilities to each of the players that attend – sort of a ‘campus-like environment’.

The Wolves will be bringing the following players into their bubble, with position designations as noted by the official roster:

• Guards: D’Angelo Russell, Josh Okogie, Josh Okogie, Malik Beasley, Jarrett Culver, Jordan McLaughlin, Jaylen Nowell, Jacob Evans, Canyon Barry, Lindell Wigginton
• Forwards: James Johnson, Jake Layman, Kelan Martin, Jarred Vanderbilt
• Centers: Karl-Anthony Towns, Naz Reid

The players brought in that are not on the Wolves roster (Canyon Barry, Lindell Wigginton) are both players that have not seen the floor for NBA minutes.

Barry went undrafted in 2017 after averaging 11 points, two rebounds, and three assists at the University of Florida. He is more famously known for shooting north of 88 percent from the free throw line in college while shooting underhand free throws, as his father, Rick Barry did.

Wigginton played for Iowa State back in 2018-19 before going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is known for being a shoot-first lead guard with an excellent 3-point percentage of 40-percent throughout his time in college.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to carefully evaluate the state of where their current pending free agents are before they attempt to re-sign them this offseason. That is with the exception of Juan Hernangomez, who is actually missing the in-market bubble for a pre-planned trip to star in one of Adam Sandler’s new movies.

Malik Beasley, who the Timberwolves acquired back in February, should be the focus of both Ryan Saunders and Gersson Rosas, as he is the most notable restricted free agent for the team after averaging over 20 points per game in his 14 appearances in a Wolves uniform after the trade deadline.

Following the in-market bubble, the Minnesota Timberwolves are scheduled to pick first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft that takes place on Nov. 18.