Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly have interest in Pierria Henry

The trade deadline might have passed weeks ago, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are still in acquisition mode as Gersson Rosas looks to continue to tweak his promising, albeit underachieving roster.

This time, the Wolves have reported interest in a former University of North Carolina-Charlotte guard who has spent the last six years playing in Europe.

Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly have interest in Pierria Henry

Pierria Henry was a four-year starter at UNC-Charlotte, averaging 10.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game with field goal, 3-point, and free throw percentage shooting splits of .414/.282/.696.

He made the conference all-defensive team three times, twice for Conference USA and once in the Atlantic 10 as the 49ers switched conferences midway through his college career. He was also twice named to the C-USA All-Conference Third Team and finished as UNC-Charlotte’s all-time assists and steals leader.

Henry went undrafted in 2015 and played for the Houston Rockets summer league team. If you were waiting for a Rosas/Chris Finch connection, well, here you go.

Henry has played overseas since then, coming stateside to appear in summer league again in 2018.

Clearly, the shooting splits are the primary reason that Henry wasn’t drafted and didn’t have an opportunity to stick in the NBA. He’s improved them as a professional, however, shooting .463/.349/.773 overseas — still not great, but a marked improvement over his numbers at UNC-Charlotte.

Henry’s calling card is defense, and his size, physicality, and above-average athleticism give him a shot at defending more than one position adequately at the NBA level. In some ways, recent video of his game is reminiscent of a bigger version of Jordan McLaughlin with not quite as accurate of a shooting touch.

What would Perrier Henry’s fit be with the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Henry could assume the McLaughlin role in 2021-22 if J-Mac is allowed to walk in restricted free agency. He would be the third point guard and occasional second ball-handler alongside D’Angelo Russell.

It’s hard to see him playing much with Ricky Rubio, given their similar issues scoring the ball, but there could be a fit with Russell.

Then again, Rubio has a $17.8 million expiring contract for next season, and there’s a solid chance that he’s traded. Perhaps the Wolves are considering bringing back McLaughlin as the primary backup to Russell, and Henry could slot into McLaughlin’s role.

If the Wolves think that Henry can be a plus defender in the backcourt, then he’s absolutely worth a look. According to Encenstando, Henry signed to play with Real Madrid in 2021, so it remains to be seen what needs to be done from a contract perspective to get him stateside.

Perrier Henry is a name to keep an eye on as the Wolves look towards the offseason, although his potential acquisition will certainly be tied to the status of one or both McLaughlin and Rubio.