How does Wendell Moore Jr. fit into the Timberwolves’ plans?

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired young shooting guard/small forward Wendell Moore Jr. in the 2022 NBA Draft. This followed a trade in which the Timberwolves gave up the 29th pick (acquired from a previous trade with the Memphis Grizzlies) and two future second-round picks to acquire the 26th overall selection. Moore was one of several first-round acquisitions under Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, but the only one to remain on the team roster throughout the 2022-23 season.

Despite some fans and analysts having high hopes for the Duke alum, myself included, Moore saw very limited action on a Timberwolves team who initially had high hopes for postseason contention. Unfortunately, the eighth-seeded Wolves fell to the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in the best-of-seven series by a record of 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs, with Moore warming the bench throughout the series.

Opportunity ahead

Now the Wolves have some decisions to make this offseason when it comes to their guard play within the second unit, with shooting guard Jaylen Nowell being an unrestricted free agent, as well as shooting guard/small forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker being a restricted free agent. If Connelly decides to let go of either of these players, it could open up an opportunity for Moore to insert himself into the rotation.

Room to improve

Moore only graced the hardwood in a measly 29 games throughout his rookie season, averaging an unimpressive 1.4 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists, but only playing an average of 5.3 minutes. Where he’s shown value is as a tenacious defender, averaging 1.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per 36 minutes of play.

However, Head Coach Chris Finch already has versatile defenders he’s able to deploy, meaning Moore will need to further develop his lackluster offensive game if he wants to play meaningful minutes. Moore shot just 42 percent from the field and only 12 percent from three, despite a very small sample size. In his two starts at the NBA level he went two for six from deep, his only two three-point makes of the season, showing with higher volume he could find his rhythm from behind the arc.

Moore was billed as a do-it-all combo guard/wing with the potential to be a starter-level player relatively early in his career, as highlighted on NBADraft.net. Throughout his time in the G-League, he has flashed signs of the versatile game he displayed pre-NBA.  While playing with the Iowa Wolves Moore averaged 19.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5 assists. The young guard also shot 85.7 percent from the line, giving more hope that he can improve as a three-point shooter.

Finch has shown a proclivity for player development throughout his tenure as a head coach, developing star shooting guard Anthony Edwards and small forward Jaden McDaniels into the rising stars we see today. With his first proper offseason underway and time to work on his offensive game, maybe Moore can slowly live up to pre-draft expectations.