Minnesota Timberwolves have an interesting decision with Jarred Vanderbilt

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an interesting decision ahead of them with the pending restricted free agency of Jarred Vanderbilt.

Jarred Vanderbilt was originally acquired as a part of the massive 4-team trade prior to the 2020 trade deadline – the same on that sent Robert Covington to Houston in exchange for Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez, and a first-round pick (this was the same trade which Atlanta received Clint Capela).

Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarred Vanderbilt situation is an interesting one

This past season, the expectations for what Jarred Vanderbilt was going to do was very low. He was essentially a throw-in that the Timberwolves acquired in the aforementioned trade, and he was expected to have a reserve role and play sparingly.

However, Jarred Vanderbilt ended up surpassing expectations, starting 30 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing 64 total. In those appearances, he averaged 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.

The most impressive part of Vanderbilt’s game, though, was his great interior defense as well as the energy he brought to both ends of the court.

Nicknamed ‘V-8’ by Bally Sports North Minnesota Timberwolves commentator Jim Peterson, Vanderbilt was a shockingly good fit alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, able to flip between the power forward and center positions regularly.

If the Timberwolves want to bring back Jarred Vanderbilt, it is possible that they could do it at a fair and reasonable cost, as well – although they will have to watch their salary cap space under the luxury tax line – they are just under it as of right now.

One options could be for the Timberwolves to offer Vanderbilt a one-year ‘prove it’-type deal. It could be worth a fair bit of money, likely less than about $6-7 million – although a more long-term option.

All in all, it is great to see a player seen as a ‘throw-in’ to a franchise-altering trade prove that he is more than capable of being a rotational player – and it will be interesting to see how his contract situation plays out this offseason.