Minnesota Timberwolves: Best remaining unrestricted free agents to consider

Two-way contract additions aside, the Minnesota Timberwolves have made zero free agent acquisitions since free agency opened at the start of the month.

The Wolves have a sliver of cap space and the mid-level exception remaining, so they could theoretically be in the mix to make an addition or two. But, will they?

Minnesota Timberwolves: Best remaining unrestricted free agents to consider

At this stage, the Wolves are waiting on answers from their own two restricted free agents, Jordan McLaughlin and Jarred Vanderbilt. They’d like to keep both of them, and if they succeed in doing so, it’s unlikely that they would make any other significant additions from outside the organization.

Still, there’s always a chance that either player signs elsewhere. Darren Wolfson of SKOR North and KSTP reported on his podcast this week that there are other teams exploring the idea of submitting an offer sheet to Vanderbilt, and if he gets more than what the Wolves are comfortable with matching, then Minnesota will need to back-fill a spot in the frontcourt.

If McLaughlin goes elsewhere, the Wolves will be left with only D’Angelo Russell and rookie/two-way contract signee McKinley Wright at the point guard spot.

With that in mind, let’s look at three potential additions in unrestricted free agency.

Minnesota Timberwolves Free Agent Option No. 1: E’Twaun Moore

E’Twaun Moore was a target of the Tom Thibodeau-led front office after Thibs’ stint coaching him in Chicago back in 2014-15. Moore was a free agent in the summer of 2016 but ultimately signed a four-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

He was a solid rotation contributor for the Pels in his first three years but saw his minutes shrink in 2019-20, the final year of his contract. Late last offseason, he signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns and was a fringe member of their rotation during the season. He only appeared in seven playoff games during the Suns’ run to the Finals.

Moore will turn 33 during the 2021-22 season but he would still be a helpful backcourt defender and a decent shooter. He’s best cast as an undersized shooting guard but can run the point and could join Wright as backup options behind Russell, especially if McLaughlin doesn’t return to Minnesota.

Moore shot only 31.4 percent on 3-point attempts last year but it was by far a career-worst; he shot better than 37 percent from deep in each of his four years with the Pelicans and is a 38.8 percent long-range shooter over 10 years in the league.

While Moore isn’t the pure point guard option to put behind Russell, he would continue the Wolves’ theme of finding guards who have the ability to play both on and off the ball and could add a bit of toughness and shooting to the backcourt.

Let’s take a look at a potential frontcourt addition.