Which international players do Minnesota Timberwolves hold the rights to?

Italian guard Matteo Spagnolo

6-foot-4 Italian shooting guard Matteo Spagnolo was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 50th overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. At the time of his selection, he has already competed in Euroleague basketball for five seasons, showcasing an ever-improving ability to score points as well as hit his perimeter shooting.  And right now, he is just 19 years old.

He joined the Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League and averaged 3.20 points, 1.40 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 15.5 minutes per game. This year, he has appeared in nine games with Dolomiti Energia Trento, a team in which his promising ability to score appears to have regressed.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

But that was to be expected somewhat, as the competition he is facing now is much more talented. So far in Euroleague competition this season, he is averaging 10.22 points, 3.67 rebounds, 3.78 assists, and 1.0 steals in 26.6 minutes per game. He is shooting 32.7 percent from the floor, and 21.7 percent from the perimeter.

The Timberwolves hope that he shows improvement as he acclimates to tougher competition. For now, he is under contract until the end of the 2023-24 season. By that point in time, the Timberwolves will have the option to sign him and bring him into the NBA.  But only if it makes sense to do so. For now, he has to demonstrate the ability to score against tougher competition and develop the ability to get to his spot, take a pass, and make his shot.

That is a pretty tall set of tasks to accomplish in the near-term future. Until then, we will continue to track his progress.