Young talent that the Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t eager to part with
Rosas’ greatest trick as president of basketball operations is to unearth overlooked talent on the fringes of the roster.
These players have varying ceilings, probably from sixth-man type to star (yes, really), but it’s more about value. What’s the point in trading a low, fixed cost with upside? That’s generally what front offices are trying to accomplish, so trading one of the following players is not likely simply because it would be very much a running-in-place type of move, at best.
A quick note: McLaughlin is not included here because he is on a two-way deal and will be a restricted free agent next summer. The Wolves will surely have an interest in a reunion.
Jaylen Nowell
Jaylen Nowell was the Wolves’ second-round pick in 2019 and tore up the G League to the tune of 21 points per game and shooting splits of .490/.441/.733 over 26 contests with the Iowa Wolves.
In 11 games so far this year with the big club, Nowell has averaged 11.3 points in only 17.2 minutes per game — that’s 23.6 points per 36 minutes for those who enjoy such numbers.
Nowell has shot .474/.400/.842 in his limited time and appears to have the floor of a bench scorer and the upside of a starting wing, with the most likely scenario probably something of a sixth-man type with some scoring upside but defensive/size limitations.
The Wolves signed him to an ultra-savvy, partially guaranteed deal prior to the 2019-20 season: four years and only $4.7 million. That means that Minnesota can have Nowell next season for only $1.78 million and the following year for just $1.93 million.
Naz Reid
Naz Reid was an undrafted free agent who had his two-way deal upgraded to a similar contract as Nowell’s: three years and $4.2 million with a team option for a fourth year at $1.9 million.
The role is different; Reid was expected to eventually be Towns’ primary backup with the ability to replicate some fraction of what Towns can do offensively, namely stretching the floor and allowing head coach Ryan Saunders to play his beloved five-out sets.
Reid had serious defensive issues last year and continues to struggle on the glass, but he’s improved defensively overall and continues to impress with his scoring touch, both around the rim and from the perimeter.
If Reid continues to play as he has in Towns’ stead so far this season, then he’ll be yet another Rosas bargain-bin find with some genuine upside moving forward.
Jaden McDaniels
Jaden McDaniels was the “other” first-round pick by the Wolves this year, officially selected at No. 28 before being traded to Minnesota. (Actually, McDaniels was the third first-round pick; No. 23 pick Leandro Bolmaro is playing overseas.)
Even if McDaniels hadn’t seen the floor yet, he was likely to fit into this category. He was a five-star high school recruit with undeniable talent who simply struggled in PAC-12 play last season as a 19-year-old. Many draft analysts still considered him a lottery-caliber talent, but those production issues and a lack of feel for his defensive capabilities let him slip to the end of the first round.
But McDaniels is now in the Wolves’ regular rotation, and he’s making his presence known with strong defense and shot-blocking, and timely 3-point shooting. He hasn’t had much success when putting the ball on the floor and consistently is outmaneuvered for rebounds by much larger, stronger big men, but the ingredients are there, along with his size and athleticism.
McDaniels has genuine star-caliber upside, and the Wolves aren’t about to add him into a trade unnecessarily.