5 Free agents who should no longer be on Timberwolves' radar after the NBA Draft

1. Malik Beasley

Drafting Shannon Jr. likely ended Minnesota's quest to find a reliable reserve wing. Even though the Wolves spent a late-first-round pick on the former Fighting Illini guard, his experience oozes plug-and-play potential. He's already 23, soon-to-be 24, and appeared in 146 games across five collegiate seasons.

On the other hand, the Wolves are always in need of shooting and that's exactly what former Timberwolf Malik Beasley provides. Beasley canned 2.8 three-pointers at a 41.3 percent clip a season ago.

Since he averaged nearly 20 points per game across a season and a half in Minnesota, Beasley's role has shifted into more of a shooting specialist's. Since 2021, 70 percent or more of Beasley's looks have come from beyond the arc.

There's always room to add more shooting—on any roster—but Beasley may come at a steeper price after signing with the Milwaukee Bucks for the veteran's minimum a season ago. The 27-year-old wing is a sharpshooter who's quietly coming off his best season defensively.

The 6-foot-5 guard more than held his own defensively. Milwaukee was even eight points per 100 possessions better with Beasley on the floor. And it was his defense that played the bigger part as opponents scored six points less when Beasley was on the hardwood.

Now seemingly a solid two-player, it's unlikely the former Bucks will sign a veteran's minimum contract for a second straight season. He's too valuable on offense and a capable defender who can defend both wing spots. Shannon Jr. won't immediately be able to provide what Beasley does, but it may not take long for him to knock down a bevy of threes and defend at a high level.