One of the Minnesota Timberwolves' biggest problems is a lack of playmaking next to Anthony Edwards. If they are unable to address this need in the draft, Malcolm Brogdon could solve the Wolves' playmaking problem in free agency. The 32-year-old guard is a crafty playmaker with solid positional size at 6-foot-4. Brogdon has averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 assists for his career, including 12.7 points and 4.1 assists this past season with the Washington Wizards. Brogdon's high-IQ playmaking and ability to space the floor make him a logical target for the Wolves.
Brogdon's fit with the Wolves
At 37, Mike Conley can still play a rotational role but isn't capable of playing 25-plus minutes a night. Rob Dillingham is entering his second year, and it's unclear if he's capable of a bigger role. Offensively, Dillingham is gifted as a shot creator and playmaker. However, there are significant concerns about how the 6-foot-1 guard will hold up on defense. As a result, the Wolves have a clear point guard dilemma.
Brogdon's playmaking and size make him an ideal fit with the Timberwolves. His size gives him a different element compared to Dillingham and Conley, who are smaller guards. While Brogdon won't be able to provide the shot creation aspect that the Wolves need, his playmaking and floor spacing would be beneficial. Furthermore, Brogdon would come at a fairly cheap price, which is crucial for the Wolves, who have a massive payroll. Overall, signing Brogdon is an intriguing option for the Wolves.
Brogdon made $22.5 million this past season. However, he's likely to sign a far cheaper contract this offseason. The Wolves will likely only be able to afford a veteran's minimum. Whether this is Brogdon's value or he'd sign a cheap deal to prioritize winning is unclear. Regardless, it's at least possible. Consequently, Brogdon is a realistic target for the Timberwolves.
Brogdon's injury history could hurt his value on the open market. Notably, he has only played in 63 games over the past two seasons and has struggled with injuries throughout his career. This makes him somewhat of a risky target. Nevertheless, on a cheap deal, it's a worthy gamble for the Wolves. In his last fully healthy season, Brogdon won Sixth Man of the Year with the Boston Celtics. As a result, there's some level of upside to landing Brogdon. Ultimately, Brogdon could be the ideal move around the edges for the Wolves to improve.