Minnesota Timberwolves: What to watch for at Las Vegas Summer League

Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League: Watch the third-string PG battle

Okay, so this is a bit of a stretch, mainly because we already know who has a leg up on the competition.

Then again, the Timberwolves technically don’t have a second-string point guard on the roster, either, so maybe it isn’t so much of a stretch, after all.

With the assumption that the Wolves either bring back Jordan McLaughlin or add a veteran point guard in free agency to fill the role of Russell’s backup, the third-string role is very much up for grabs.

Undrafted rookie McKinley Wright IV signed a two-way contract on draft night and would appear to have a significant leg up on the role, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be an intriguing storyline to follow. Another undrafted rookie point guard, Isaiah Miller, signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Wolves, which essentially makes him a surefire training camp invitee and a preferred option for the G League’s Iowa Wolves.

Both rookies should get plenty of opportunities to showcase their skills in Vegas, which should include running along with NBA-caliber talent in McDaniels and Nowell, as well as two-way contract signee Nathan Knight, who appeared in 33 games last year with the Atlanta Hawks.

Neither Wright nor Miller is a knockdown shooter, but both are plus defenders despite their relatively diminutive size. Try not to get too caught up in the shooting percentages during this four or five-game stint in Summer League, but focus on shot selection and their ability to set their teammates up for scoring opportunities.

If nothing else, the Wolves have plenty of point guard options on the Summer Wolves, and there’s a surprisingly high number of players who will see the court that could have an impact on the big club in 2021-22 — especially considering that the Timberwolves didn’t make a selection in the 2021 NBA Draft.

We’ll be back after Monday’s Summer League opener with player grades and high points from the game. Enjoy summer hoops!