After signing Luka Garza to an Exhibit 10 contract last week, the Minnesota Timberwolves roster now stands at 19 players, out of an offseason maximum of 20.
It’s been a busy summer for Minnesota. The team put itself in position to be even better this coming season with one of the biggest acquisitions in franchise history, trading for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
As we head into September, training camp is just weeks away. Before the regular season gets underway, the Wolves will need to cut two players to meet the 17-man limit, which includes 15 standard and two two-way contracts.
Minnesota will use training camp as a way to gauge their current group, as well as decide who gets signed for the season and who gets waived.
The roster for 2022-23 will look markedly different, with nine players that weren’t part of last season’s group joining the team for training camp. Here’s what your Timberwolves look like as of right now, with starters italicized:
Point Guard: D’Angelo Russell, Jordan McLaughlin, Austin Rivers, C.J. Elleby (exhibit 10)
Shooting Guard: Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Nowell, Bryn Forbes, A.J. Lawson (two-way)
Small Forward: Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Wendell Moore Jr., Eric Paschall (two-way)
Power Forward: Karl-Anthony Towns, Taurean Prince, Nathan Knight, Josh Minott
Center: Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Luka Garza (exhibit 10)
Who is most likely to be cut before the season?
Due to the 17 player limit for the NBA season, the Timberwolves will have to let two players from this group go. Generally, the players who are on Exhibit 10 contracts are the most likely to fail to make it to the regular season opener, since they’re being faced with the task of beating out an established player for a roster spot.
As it currently stands, C.J. Elleby and Luka Garza are the two players Minnesota fans can expect to see let go before October 19th. But there’s always the chance these players go above and beyond to make the unexpected happen.
There will also be interesting storylines to follow regarding playing time as training camp commences. Those who show out at camp could give themselves the chance to move up in the regular season rotation sooner rather than later.