Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Preseason schedule, Jordan McLaughlin

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced their preseason schedule over the weekend.

Plus, the Star Tribune’s Chris Hine gives a small update on the restricted free agency of Jordan McLaughlin, who remains unsigned.

Minnesota Timberwolves still working on Jordan McLaughlin deal

The Timberwolves still only have two point guards on the roster in D’Angelo Russell and undrafted rookie/two-way player McKinley Wright IV.

Ricky Rubio is now a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and while it seemingly paved the way for Jordan McLaughlin, who spent each of the last two seasons on two-way deals with the Wolves, to quickly rejoin the team. However, such a deal has yet to come to fruition.

Chris Hine of the Star Tribune has been all over the negotiations between McLaughlin and the team, and he gave an update to his initial reporting over the weekend.

Remember, McLaughlin didn’t sign until after the team’s brief training camp began last year, so it’s entirely possible that his agent draws things out to ensure that there isn’t a better opportunity and/or more money out there somewhere.

Still, most teams are strapped for cap space, and there’s a clear backup point guard role available in Minnesota.

The bet here is that McLaughlin still ends up back with the Timberwolves. The better question is probably whether or not the Wolves can re-sign both McLaughlin and Jarred Vanderbilt, which we debated here at DWW during the first week of the free agency period.

Minnesota Timberwolves release 2021-22 preseason schedule

The 2021-22 NBA season schedule will reportedly be released in the next “week to 10 days”, according to Marc Stein.

For now, we have the preseason schedule, which the Wolves announced over the weekend.

Minnesota opens at home against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Oct. 4. Strangely, it’s their only home game among the four preseason contests.

The Wolves then travel to Denver for a Friday, Oct. 8 date with the Nuggets. In another odd twist, the Wolves play on Oct. 11 in LA against the Clippers before skipping back across the country to take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.

Remember when the preseason included a couple of regional games in cities without teams, like Fargo, St. Louis, Sioux Falls, and Kansas City? No more, apparently. Instead, the Wolves get t play on both coasts.

But the real news here is that the Wolves will be on the court for an exhibition game in just six short weeks. Here. We. Go.