The Minnesota Timberwolves need to fill one more roster slot to reach their 15-man roster for the 2023-24 NBA season. For now, there is almost nothing to suggest that the Minnesota Timberwolves have anything in the works. Well, the situation can change rapidly in the NBA, so let’s run a recently released NBA free agent guard through his paces to determine if it makes sense for the team to show any interest in signing him to the Timberwolves roster:
Some background
The San Antonio Spurs have released veteran guard Cam Payne, a player who was traded by the Phoenix Suns to the Spurs in an effort to clear salary cap space. Now, it appears that the Spurs will release Payne, whose 10-year NBA career does not align with the Spurs’ effort to rebuild their roster this season.
The San Antonio Spurs are waiving veteran guard Cam Payne, sources tell ESPN. Payne recently arrived in trade from Suns and now gets a chance to join a contending team that can give him a bigger role. pic.twitter.com/cA13XSxp3j
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 11, 2023
Payne will now have his choice to lobby to be signed by a contender.
Why I don’t like his fit
The Timberwolves are not exactly the type of team that needs to recycle players discarded from other teams, and even less likely to prioritize a Timberwolves free agency signing of a 10-year veteran combination guard.
While he could contribute to an NBA team that needs a veteran presence to stabilize a young roster, his 20.2 minutes point game average from last season feels like a lot of time on the floor, time that could be routed to younger and equally effective players on the Timberwolves roster.
Why I like his fit
The most vulnerable position on the Timberwolves’ depth chart right now is at the point guard position, and with the exception of veteran PG Mike Conley Jr., the Timberwolves do not have an established backup PG role. The 6-foot-1 183-pound veteran guard could be a bridge point guard while the Timberwolves search for and develop a more permanent solution.
Why I love his fit
He is a veteran who should slide into that final roster spot at minimal cost. While he does require significant minutes, he does contribute 10.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and has a sweet 37 percent perimeter shot that could come in handy to spark the Timberwolves off the bench.
Final projection: Pass
Cameron Payne brings value to the right team. I just don’t believe that the right team is the Minnesota Timberwolves for now. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section of our Facebook page.