After missing his first season in the NBA due to an Achilles injury, Jaylen Clark emerged as a pleasant surprise for the Minnesota Timberwolves in his de facto rookie season. Clark first played in January and became a mainstay in the Wolves' rotation at the end of the month. Through 40 games (four starts), Clark averaged 13.1 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists with 46.7/43.1/78.4 shooting splits.
Notably, Clark played more than fellow young players Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham. Clark's stellar on-ball defense gives him a solid chance to replicate Nickeil Alexander-Walker's role. Regardless, it's worth wondering if he can maintain his shooting numbers.
Throughout his college career at UCLA, Clark shot just 30.2 percent from beyond the arc, and he similarly shot just 30.4 percent from 3-point land in summer league. Whether Clark's hot shooting from last season can continue into this upcoming year will greatly determine his impact.
Clark will provide high-level defense, but can he maintain his shooting numbers from last season?
Clark and Shannon will largely be counted on to replace Alexander-Walker's impact. Unquestionably, Clark is capable of replicating NAW's defensive impact. Clark is an elite on-ball stopper, especially against perimeter players. Notably, he held opponents to 45.8 percent shooting from the field, which is slightly lower than Alexander-Walker's defensive field goal percentage. Clark's on-ball defense and tenacity got him on the court last season.
However, Alexander-Walker's spot-up shooting and secondary creation abilities were also vital to the Wolves. Clark has never shown to be much of a creator or playmaker. He did show a ton of progression as a shooter last year, knocking down 43.1 percent of his 3s, including 44.9 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s. However, this hasn't historically been a part of his game. As a result, this will be a key swing skill for Clark.
Being able to space the floor and knock down open shots from beyond the arc is an essential skill for most role players. This is especially vital next to Anthony Edwards and on a team that doesn't have elite floor spacing. Clark's defense will always allow him to get some minutes.
Nevertheless, for him to be more than the ninth man in the Wolves' rotation, knocking down open triples will be crucial. If Clark's shooting is close to his college average, he will be used as an energy guy in the deep rotation, but if it's around his average from last year, he will be a highly valuable piece for the Wolves' bench.