Who says that there is no basketball to talk about for the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Happy post 4th of July Wolves Nation, I hope you all enjoyed the holiday and some fireworks! With the 4th in our rearview mirror, the focus around the NBA has begun to temporarily shift away from the 2023 NBA Free Agency market and dive headfirst into the 2023 NBA Summer League.
Over the years, the NBA Summer League has blossomed from an ESPN summer fodder where diehard fans get a first look at rookies, into a blossoming celebration of NBA basketball. Summer league has become a critical scouting enclave, that has jumpstarted the careers of numerous players around the league. Staying close to home, Timberwolves point guard Jordan McGlaughlin and forward Naz Reid played their way into the Timberwolves organization following standout performances in Las Vegas.
Sizzlin’ Summer League play
The Timberwolves enter play with an intriguing cast of players featuring multiple young players recently drafted and NBA hopefuls trying to make a roster. Unfortunately, we will be unable to get a glimpse of rookie Jaylen Clark as he continues to nurse a lingering Achilles injury from college. you can see the full roster directly from the Timberwolves website here.
The action kicked off for the Timberwolves with a 102-88 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, but here are the scheduled tip-offs and broadcast outlet for the rest of Summer League courtesy of sportskeeda.com:
- July 7th vs New Orleans Pelicans – W 102-88
- July 10th | 9pm CST | ESPNU – vs Utah Jazz
- July 12th | 3pm CST | ESPN 2 – vs Atlanta Hawks
- July 13th | 6:30 CST | NBA TV – vs Sacramento Kings
With 53rd overall pick Jaylen Clark signing a two-way contract, the Timberwolves entered summer league with 13 of their 15 regular season roster spots filled. With the NBA making a rule change allowing three two-way roster spots, Clark’s signature joins center Luka Garza for two of those spots. Forward Matt Ryan has been tendered a qualifying offer for the third two-way spot, making him a Restricted Free Agent, but with no signature on paper, that final two-way spot is very much up for grabs by perhaps a standout performer at this year’s Summer League Tournament.
So with the roster established, what Timberwolves draft picks will be playing, and who on the roster has the potential to play their way onto the roster?