Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 takeaways from Iowa Wolves’ season

Former Minnesota Timberwolves big man Tyler Cook went from the Iowa Wolves to the Brooklyn Nets on a 10-day deal. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Former Minnesota Timberwolves big man Tyler Cook went from the Iowa Wolves to the Brooklyn Nets on a 10-day deal. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves, Allonzo Trier
Allonzo Trier, formerly of the New York Knicks, had an up-and-down G League stint with the Iowa Wolves. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Iowa Wolves players who won’t get a chance with the Timberwolves

Other recognizable names on the Iowa Wolves roster who had disappointing bubble performances include former New York Knick Allonzo Trier and multi-time Timberwolves training camp invitee Lindell Wigginton.

Trier was the Wolves’ first-round pick in the G League Draft, selected fourth overall. He appeared in 88 games over the last two years with the Knicks and brought scoring chops and athleticism to the Wolves’ G League roster.

But Trier only appeared in nine of the Wolves’ 15 games, falling out of the rotation by the end of the bubble. He opened with a bang, scoring 26 points on 16 shots in his first game and dropping 17 or more points in four of his first five performances.

Trier scored only 17 points over his last four games, however, and saw his minutes slashed considerably. He finished the bubble averaging 12 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on 39.1 percent shooting from the field and 24.1 percent from deep over nine contests.

Wigginton has been in Timberwolves training camp each of the two years, earning an Exhibit 10 contract last year to be on the Iowa Wolves’ roster. He led the team in scoring in the bubble outside of Cook’s dominant eight games, averaging 17.1 points per game along with 5.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.

The 6-foot-1 combo guard put up shooting splits (field goal, 3-point, and free throw percentages) of just .427/.312/..692, however, and continues to struggle defensively as a professional. As an undersized scoring guard, Wigginton will need to defend better and shoot more efficiently if he wants a shot at the highest level.