3 Timberwolves that earned untouchable status, 3 who could be cut loose

These 3 Timberwolves could be cut loose

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Whether or not I believe that a player has performed well enough to warrant remaining on the team, I always pause and remind myself that any release from a professional NBA basketball team can decimate a player’s psyche as harshly as a one-income wage earner can be decimated by a layoff.

But sometimes these things do not work out. NBA Players earn a hefty paycheck, and the expectation for that investment by NBA teams comes down to meeting expectations. Sometimes, whether by injury, not fitting the team’s scheme, or simply a down year, those expectations are not met. When that happens, players run the risk of being cut and looking for another opportunity with a new team. Who is at risk of not returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves roster for the 2023-24 NBA season? Here are three:

Cut Loose III: PG/SG  Austin Rivers

The Minnesota Timberwolves were throwing darts at a dart board with a blindfold on one year ago, and that was never more evident than when signing combination guard Austin Rivers to a one-year bridge contract. Now, Rivers is a free agent, and unless he and the Timberwolves agree to an incredibly team-friendly follow-up contract, I cannot see his future including a return to the Timberwolves for the 2023-24 NBA season.

Let’s not gloss over the fact that throughout the heart of the 2022-23 NBA season, it was veteran guard Austin Rivers who became the spokesperson and voice of calm seasoned leadership for this team. Unfortunately, his numbers never achieved what the Timberwolves expected from him this season.

Cut Loose III: PG Jordan McLaughlin

If the Minnesota Timberwolves want to do a better job in the 2023-24 NBA season, then the team will need a more dependable backup point guard. While Jordan McLaughlin did nothing drastically wrong through the 2022-23 NBA season, did he do enough to retain his roster spot?

When you compare how the other pieces of the Minnesota Timberwolves roster are aligning, McLaughlin appears to be ‘that guy’ who ends up as the odd man out. When the team had a window open for McLaughlin to make his claim to a larger role with the team, he was unable to deliver due to injury.

Cut Loose I: C Nathan Knight

While the Minnesota Timberwolves have some questions about their front court, I simply do not believe that backup front court center/forward Nathan Knight demonstrated enough progress during the 2022-23 NBA season.  The fact that the team has PF Josh Minott and C Luka Garza waiting in the wings for their chance complicates Knight’s future opportunity with the Timberwolves.

In the end, the Timberwolves will likely want some turnover to the bottom of their roster simply out of the need to keep the talent pipeline fresh and continue to assess new players for larger roles in the future. While Knight has enough experience to fill in some capacity throughout an 82-game season, he doesn’t display much more than what he is delivering right now.