It was an action-filled first day of free agency for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Signing a total of three players, the Wolves are making good headway in improving their bench and adding more talent to the rotation as a whole.
Minnesota’s first move was re-signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, which should produce a huge sigh of relief from Timberwolves fans. NAW was crucial to the team’s run at the end of the 2022-23 season, and keeping him around on a cheap deal (2 years, $9 million) was an excellent outcome.
After that, the Wolves added Troy Brown Jr. and Shake Milton on small deals as well, making for a solid first day of free agency. The only downside is that they also lost a player. With Minnesota choosing not to guarantee Taurean Prince’s contract for the upcoming season, he decided to sign with the Lakers on a one-year deal.
Prince was a very valuable contributor in a three-and-D role off the Timberwolves’ bench last season, and his production will be missed. There are a few players on Minnesota’s roster that are prime candidates to replace his minutes.
These players are the top candidates to replace Taurean Prince’s minutes:
1. Troy Brown Jr.
The former Los Angeles Laker should immediately be in the mix for minutes in a role similar to what Taurean Prince provided. While in LA, Brown showed his value in his versatility and willingness to do the dirty work.
Still just 23 years old, Troy Brown already has five full NBA seasons under his belt, and he is only getting better. Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham described Brown as a “swiss army knife,” stating that he can do a little bit of everything when he is on the floor.
Brown’s numbers reflect this. His stats will not blow you away, but a line like he had against the Bulls in March of 18 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals show how he can put his fingerprints all over a game.
Next season, when the Timberwolves need a versatile defender who can knock down open shots and be otherwise useful in a multitude of ways, they will assuredly be looking at Troy Brown. His 38% shooting mark from three last year should allow him to see the floor early and often.
2. Josh Minott
Another player who could provide solid minutes for Minnesota this coming season in leu of Taurean Prince is Josh Minott. After a forgettable rookie campaign where he played sparingly, the 45th overall pick from the 2022 NBA Draft will look to find his spot in the rotation.
Timberwolves fans have been excited about Minott since day one, largely because of his supreme athleticism and superb length. At 6-foot-8 with a near seven-foot wingspan, Minott has incredible upside and is still just 20 years old.
Minott and his fellow draft classmate Wendell Moore both had trouble finding playing time last season. With the top level talent in Minnesota’s starting lineup and some seasoned veterans on the bench, it was understandable that Head Coach Chris Finch was hesitant to play them over more established players.
With the Timberwolves clearly opting to get younger this offseason, Minott could be someone who steps into a larger role. He has the length and lateral quickness to defend several different positions, even though he is still smaller than most players his size at just 205 pounds. If he can add some extra size this season, we may see him break into Finch’s rotation.
3. Leonard Miller
One of the newest additions to the Timberwolves’ roster, Leonard Miller is a first-round level talent that Minnesota was able to snag in the second round of the 2023 draft after their trade with San Antonio. While it may seem like more of a long shot for him to get meaningful minutes as a rookie, he should have a better shot than either of Minnesota’s 2022 draftees.
While it will be hard for any young player to come in and replace the hard-nosed defense and shooting prowess that Taurean Prince provided, Leonard Miller could provide surprisingly good minutes in spurts. His experience playing as a professional with the G League Ignite last season will be a huge boost as he adjusts to life in the association.
Getting the experience of playing against pros as a teenager last year will make Miller ready for the pressure of NBA games quicker than most. In addition, his defensive skillset is similar to that of Josh Minott’s, as he has quick feet and can effectively guard multiple positions.
All this will make him a sneaky candidate to get on the floor for the Timberwolves quicker than many would expect. Do not be surprised to see Leonard Miller as a full-time rotation player by season’s end in Minnesota.