4 Free agent reclamation projects the Timberwolves should take on
By Austin McGee
3. Kira Lewis Jr.
Another point guard, former Alabama Crimson Tide standout Kira Lewis Jr. was drafted six picks after Hayes in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. Unlike Hayes, Lewis Jr. has yet to show any glimpse of long-term potential.
In four seasons, Lewis Jr. has only appeared in 131 games. He's averaged 5.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists throughout his career. Like Hayes, the Alabama product has never shot the ball efficiently. He's a career 39.7 percent shooter from the floor and 29.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite the extremely slow start to his career, several traits once led to Lewis Jr.'s preconceived future lead guard status. The 23-year-old guard is super quick, a sound playmaker, and showed signs of efficient shooting ability as a collegian.
If, and it's a big if, Lewis Jr. can become a league-average shooter, he'd be a quality rotation guard. Now three years removed from a devastating ACL tear, Lewis Jr. should be completely back to form. The athletic floor general will suit up for the Houston Rockets summer league this offseason for a chance to reclaim a rotational spot in the league.
Once again, playing behind a 17-year veteran in Conley would do wonders for Lewis Jr.'s maturation. The former Pelican's measurements are even similar to Conley's. He's a bit taller, at 6-foot-1, but he's vastly undersized at only 170 pounds. Adding Lewis Jr. on a one-year minimum deal as a third point guard is a safe bet on his once-sought-after potential.