The Minnesota Timberwolves will love this innovation to the new NBA/NBPA CBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves are not exactly bursting with future draft picks. In fact, the Timberwolves’ acquisition of All-Star center Rudy Gobert will impact the Timberwolves in alternative years through the 2029 NBA Draft. But there is some relief on the horizon.

With limited opportunities to add rookie players through the NBA Draft in the immediate future, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking for innovative ways to fill their talent pipeline. To that degree, the recent NBA/NBPA agreement may offer some relief.

"There is an increase in two-way contract slots, jumping from two to three per team. Two-way contracts were created in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement as a vehicle for teams to develop younger players. It has been seen as a success, as it’s become a route to players earning long-term homes in the league, and in several cases becoming major contributors. – as per ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski"

If ratified, NBA teams will be able to sign up to three Two-Way Contract players going forward. Why is that of any value to the Minnesota Timberwolves? Well, I believe it holds significant value for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and here’s why:

The Timberwolves roster has another on-ramp for younger players

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a limited, but not barren, number of draft picks in future NBA Drafts. Thanks to the impact of trading for center Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves have surrendered four of their first-round draft picks over the next seven NBA Drafts. While the lack of a first-round selection impacts the team every other year, the Timberwolves will still need to keep their talent pipeline filled with talent.

Thanks to the introduction of a third two-way contract slot, the Timberwolves will be able to carry 15 players on regular season contracts plus three developmental players on two-way contracts. While two-way players are not eligible to participate in the NBA Playoffs, they are instrumental in reinforcing the regular roster over the 82-game regular season.

Additionally, they are a low-risk high-reward option for NBA teams like the Timberwolves to engage, coach, and assess younger players who might sign on with the team on a regular contract in the future. One such two-way contract player, center Luka Garza, showed significant promise in a limited role for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season.

One more two-way contract is no guarantee, but it gives a team like the Minnesota Timberwolves one more option when trying to create lineups amidst injuries. With three players to toggle between the Iowa Wolves and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team can ensure a frontcourt and a backcourt prospect. As the draft picks start to dry up, its nice to no that the Timberwolves talent pipeline needn’t dry up as well.