Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 free agents the Timberwolves could still sign

By Dylan Jackson

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on April 09, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on April 09, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
DENVER, CO – APRIL 26: Justise Winslow #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies, possible Minnesota Timberwolves target. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 26: Justise Winslow #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies, possible Minnesota Timberwolves target. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves free agency target: Justise Winslow

The Minnesota Timberwolves could use some help on the defensive end of the floor. There are a few players that could help that are still available – and a notable name that comes up is Justise Winslow.

There is no sugarcoating Winslow’s performance for the Grizzlies this past season. He was not good on pretty much any level – but he was also recovering from an injury which saw him miss most of the 2019-20 season (and most of the beginning of 2020-21, as well). In 26 games last season, Winslow averaged seven points, five rebounds, and two assists in 20 minutes per night. His shooting splits were awful, and his defense wasn’t enough to make up for it.

However, if you want a reclamation combo-forward on the cheap, there is a non-zero possibility that Winslow could return to at least part of his Miami Heat form – one which saw him as a point-forward with high-level facilitation ability, league-average shooting, and great defensive prowess. To say that the expectation for him would be to return to that would be misleading, but it is unlikely he is as poor of a player as he showed himself to be in Memphis last season.

The Timberwolves need frontcourt help, and adding a defense-first player alongside guys like Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards is more than necessary. A possible contract could look like a two-year, $10 million deal with a team option attached (possibly more money depending on the interest level around the league, although I have to assume there isn’t much right now).