Projecting the Timberwolves Expansion Draft Protections
By John Hanzal
The easy cuts
The Timberwolves roster is deep, so there is no “easy cut” per se, but you do have to trim the roster down somehow. These players would be forward Troy Brown Jr, guard Shake Milton, center Luka Garza, and guard Daishen Nix.
Troy Brown and Shake Milton will both be getting crucial minutes to fill for this Wolves team, but in Brown’s case, he falls victim to the abundance of young, lengthy wings this team already has.
Shake Milton is a nice combo guard who can score off the bench, but he is already 27 years old, and that’s what his career projects to be. A combo guard who can score off the bench.
Center Luka Garza seems to keep getting better every year of his career, but his lack of athleticism and a crowded big man room is enough to drive the Wolves away from protecting him.
Guard Daishen Nix is nice to have in a pinch.
Unfortunate fan favorites
The title for this category is self-explanatory, but it needs to be said. Forward Kyle Anderson, guard Mike Conley, and guard Jordan McLaughlin would also, unfortunately, be up for grabs if the expansion draft took place.
Kyle Anderson (my personal pick on who would be drafted from the Wolves) very well may be the best free agent signing in Timberwolves history, but just like Troy Brown Jr, he falls victim to the Wolves having so many young wings. On top of that, if Edwards develops his playmaking like we expect he should, Anderson’s role becomes more diminished.
Mike Conley will be 38 years old entering the 25-26 season, and while his game does age gracefully, there will just be younger options more worth keeping.
Jordan McLaughlin is a wonderful table setter for this Wolves offense, but his talent does not outweigh his limited size for the team to use protection on.