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Johnny Juzang is making a statement that the Timberwolves can't ignore

Johnny Juzang deserves a roster spot.
ByEamon Cassels|
Oct 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Johnny Juzang (9) follows the play against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
Oct 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Johnny Juzang (9) follows the play against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images | Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Johnny Juzang to a non-guaranteed contract during the offseason. However, through two preseason games, Juzang is playing excellent basketball and proving he is worth a roster spot. The UCLA product averages 18 points, four rebounds, and is shooting a staggering 60 percent from 3-point range.

Tuesday's preseason game against the Pacers was a monster performance for Juzang, who poured in a game-high 20 points in just 14 minutes, netting six shots from beyond the arc. Juzang is also a proven NBA contributor, averaging 19.5 minutes, 8.5 points while shooting 38.4 percent from 3-point land in the past two seasons with the Utah Jazz.

Simply put, Juzang is too good not to earn some type of roster spot with the Wolves.

Juzang belongs on the Timberwolves roster

Deep rotation players or guys who round out the roster must have at least one bankable skill, and Juzang's knockdown shooting gives him that. While Juzang is somewhat of a 3-point specialist, that's not necessarily a bad thing, as shooting is at a premium in the modern NBA.

Juzang's shooting and off-ball abilities make him an ideal fit next to the Wolves stars. His ability to play off the likes of Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle would make him a valuable piece. It's hard to imagine a scenario where the 6-foot-7 wing becomes a true mainstay in a loaded Wolves' rotation. Regardless, Juzang is more than capable of playing if the situation calls for it, and his shooting makes him a seamless fit with anyone in the lineup.

The reason why Juzang was signed to a non-guaranteed contract in the first place is due to Minnesota's high payroll. Despite Juzang's stellar preseason play, it's not certain he earns a standard roster spot. Luckily, the 24-year-old is eligible for a two-way roster spot.

The Wolves would have to re-shuffle their two-way players to give him this opportunity. Tristen Newton or Enrique Freeman could be released to do so, as the Wolves will, of course, keep 2025 second-round pick Rocco Zikarsky.

This move makes a lot of sense given the desire for financial flexibility and Juzang's stellar preseason play. It's possible Juzang plays a fair amount of games with the Wolves, and they ultimately convert him before the season ends. Many teams have done a similar strategy with their two-way players when keeping an open roster spot in recent years.

Whether the Wolves convert Juzang to a standard contract or he gets a two-way deal, it's clear that he's done enough to stay in Minnesota.

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