Ranking 13 Timberwolves contracts from bargain to nightmare
By Austin McGee
Time Will Tell
The following players are all on rookie deals. Not one of these three Wolves has played more than 45 games. At a minimum price tag, these Minnesota youngsters are all technically bargains.
8. Leonard Miller
The most intriguing prospect on the roster, Leonard Miller is a 6-foot-10 combo forward with plenty of untapped potential. As a 19-year-old, he suited up for the G-League Ignite where he averaged 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
After being selected in the second round, Miller signed a four-year, $8 million pact. His production may surpass the value of his contract as soon as next season. This year, playing for the Iowa Wolves, the athletic forward is averaging 20.3 points, 9.1 boards, and 3.5 assists.
As a jumbo-sized playmaker, Miller is showing ball-handling potential along with 3-point marksmanship. In his inaugural season in the G-League, Miller canned just 32.7 percent of his 2.2 attempts from deep. This year, Miller is splashing 37.8 percent of 5.6 long-range attempts per game. At only $2 million per season, he's a worthwhile investment.
7. Josh Minott
One of the bigger question marks on Minnesota's roster, forward Josh Minott was a second-round pick in 2022. Unlike Miller, Minott's pre-draft production was less than stellar.
In 33 collegiate appearances, Minott played a mere 14.6 minutes per game for the Memphis Tigers. However, the Memphis product's G-League production has been special. Playing for the Iowa Wolves, Minott has averaged 22.0 points, 6.3 points, and 3.1 assists all while averaging more than a block and steal per contest.
At a measly $1.8 million per season, Minott's spot on the roster is well warranted. A player like Minott is valuable in part because of the Wolves' precarious cap situation following the 2023-24 season.
6. Wendell Moore Jr.
The last of the three youngsters, Wendell Moore Jr. happens to also be the only first-round draft pick. Selected out of Duke in 2022, Moore Jr. has played sparingly across his two professional seasons. He's appeared in 45 games and just spent 201 minutes on the hardwood.
Nonetheless, Moore Jr.'s contract is still slim-to-none. He's making about $3 million per year after signing a four-year, $11.8 million deal in 2022. Coming out of Duke, Moore Jr. projected as a do-it-all guard.
As a junior, he averaged 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists to go along with 13.4 points per game. In the big leagues, Moore Jr. has failed to demonstrate the same ability he displayed at the collegiate level. Whether it be a lack of opportunity or something else, his contract makes up less than two percent of the Wolves' total salaries.