In the NBA today, player development is more important than it’s ever been. Unlocking all the things that make a player great and creating an environment where they can thrive is key to establishing a championship culture. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, good coaching and development should play a major part in determining how far this talented group can go in 2022-23.
With that in mind, it’s no small matter that one of the most coveted skills coaches in the NBA is about to make a departure from his current team. Jake Fischer reported Monday afternoon that the San Antonio Spurs’ shooting coach Chip Engelland is set to leave the franchise when his contract is up. This is an opportunity the Timberwolves should jump on for a multitude of reasons.
Longtime San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Chip Engelland is departing the franchise at the conclusion of his contract, according to league sources. Engelland had been with the Spurs since 2005.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 11, 2022
Chip Engelland’s track record Is legit
Most skills coaches in the NBA aren’t household names for obvious reasons, but Engelland is about as close as you’re going to get to one. As one of the most recognized and respected developmental coaches in the league, much of the Spurs’ success with player development over the years can be attributed to him.
When San Antonio acquired Kawhi Leonard in 2011, they got a player who was a defensive stalwart, but very limited offensively. He didn’t have much semblance of a jump shot and was not expected to be an offensive threat coming out of San Diego State.
We all know the rest of the story. Leonard blossomed into an offensive superstar, due in no small part to Chip Engelland. His reputation as a “shot doctor” comes from cases like Kawhi. His style of coaching lends itself to completely changing a player’s outlook and significantly raising their ceiling.
Timberwolves players could benefit from Chip’s coaching
So what does this mean for the Minnesota Timberwolves? It’s a grand opportunity to gain one of the most valuable coaching figures in the league. Engelland has been with San Antonio since 2005, but since he’s changing locations, he probably wouldn’t mind going to a team that has a few of his former clients on it. So it’s a good thing the Wolves signed two former Spurs this offseason in Kyle Anderson and Bryn Forbes.
In terms of how Engelland can change Minnesota’s outlook, there are several players that would benefit from his coaching expertise right away. Jaden McDaniels, who shot just 31.7 percent from three this past season, would be a huge beneficiary of the shot doctor’s work. In addition, D’Angelo Russell had a down shooting year from outside in 2021-22 as well, at just 34 percent. It’s not unreasonable to think either could end the season with a shooting percentage in the high 30s under Engelland’s tutelage.
It’s also possible that Chip has never worked with a shooter as precise as Karl-Anthony Towns. Giving him a weapon of KAT’s caliber could lead to some unbelievable results.
And for a group that already ranked in the top half of the league in three-point percentage (12th), Engelland’s coaching would likely be a major boost for the Timberwolves. Chris Finch and company should do everything they can to add him to the coaching staff.