How can Timberwolves’ #45 overall pick Josh Minott get playing time?

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Josh Minott proved his worth in Summer League by outworking everyone else. He proved himself to be an athletic, versatile wing. And yet, as with any young NBA rookie, he has plenty of room for improvement offensively and defensively. Worth a shot? Do the Minnesota Timberwolves think that he has the potential to grow into an efficient contributor off the bench?

Yes, they do.

The Minnesota Timberwolves went into the 2022 NBA Draft searching for players to bolster their defensive presence. With the 45th overall pick from the draft, the Wolves scored when they landed the 6-foot-8 wing out of Memphis University by the name of Josh Minott. Oh, and that nearly 7-foot-0 wingspan is not bad either.

After an impressive summer league debut, Minott settled in and put up some decent numbers:
26 MPG, 12.2 PPG, 41.7 percent shooting from three-point range, 8.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, and 1.6 SPG. How good? Good enough to land a full-fledged NBA contract, despite being selected with the 45th overall pick. Not stashed in the Euroleague. Not stashed in the G-League. Selected and signed.

So who is the Timberwolves Wunderkind?

Well, he is a player who caught the Timberwolves’ attention as early as his private workout, when he outplayed and outhustled many prospects who were viewed and rated higher on many NBA Big Boards. While he was the 45th overall selection of the 2022 NBA Draft, he is already flirting with the next NBA player discovered by Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly.

Connelly has a bit of a reputation as an NBA Draft whisperer. Minott may confirm that uncanny success once more.