Timberwolves may still have a plan for Jaylen Nowell

The Minnesota Timberwolves still have one final roster spot left to fill. There has been speculation about what they will do with it, but many suspect they could try to bring in a veteran point guard to give the team a reliable backup ball handler.

At the same time, Minnesota is weighing their options concerning Jaylen Nowell. The upcoming fifth-year guard suffered from a subpar season in 2022-23 that left many thinking the Timberwolves would let him walk this summer. He is still yet to be re-signed by the team.

These two dilemmas are about to intersect, but perhaps not in the way a lot of fans think. According to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North, the odds that the Wolves bring Nowell back on board are slim to none. On his podcast “The Scoop,” Wolfson indicated that there is a mutual understanding between Jaylen and the organization that he will not be back.

The newest reports indicate that Jaylen Nowell will not return to Minnesota.

How does this, then, tie in with the Timberwolves’ final roster spot? The answer lies in the newest team to express interest in signing Nowell. Wolfson also reported that the Dallas Mavericks may potentially be interested in acquiring the young guard.

To get Nowell to Dallas, Minnesota would need to execute a sign-and-trade since he is not currently a rostered player. This is something they had already considered doing in order to get a proper return for the unrestricted free agent.

With the Mavs looking to create roster flexibility and Nowell looking for a new home, it could be the best scenario for both parties. The Timberwolves would likely be able to get back draft compensation in a potential deal, or even an additional player to fill their final roster spot if the salaries make sense.

Whether a deal happens or not is up in the air, but Wolfson confirmed that Nowell is indeed on Dallas’ radar. He also mentioned that Jaylen’s camp is still waiting for a verdict on Damian Lillard’s situation in Portland. If Dame is finally traded, it could be what sets up the Timberwolves to make a move.