Report: Timberwolves interested in defensive-minded guard

Point guard has been a position of need for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Besides Mike Conley, the Timberwolves only roster Jordan McLaughlin and Shake Milton.

McLaughlin has never averaged 20 minutes per game in his career, while Milton is better suited as an off-guard than a true point guard. Milton has only averaged more than three assists twice in his six-year career.

Several point guards have already been linked to Minnesota, namely Washington Wizards guard and former Timberwolf Tyus Jones. Jones is eerily similar to Conley. Although nearly 10 years younger, the Washington floor general is putting up nearly identical numbers. Like Conley, Jones is a mistake-free guard, he leads the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Other than Jones, the Timberwolves are reportedly after another Washington point guard. According to Michal Scotto of HoopsHype, Minnesota is pursuing Wizards guard Delon Wright.

In his second season in the nation's capital, Wright is averaging 4.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He's shooting just 38.6 percent from the floor, but making up for his poor overall percentage with a 37.1 percent mark from three.

Although his numbers don't stand out, he's performed quite well in recent seasons. After a midseason trade to Memphis in 2019, Wright averaged 12.2 points, 5.4 boards, and 5.3 assists per game. That season, in only 26 games, Wright recorded three triple-doubles.

Since then, Wright has averaged more than 10 points per game in only one season. However, he's continued to display two-way versatility. The veteran guard has averaged at least 2.0 steals per 36 minutes in every season from 2020 onward.

Wright is 6-foot-5, taller than the typical point guard. He also sports nearly a 6-foot-8 wingspan, allowing him to defend positions one through three. At his stature, he's comfortable playing both guard spots.

Of all Minnesota targets, Wright should be the easiest to poach. His services are unnecessary in Washington. The Wizards have only won nine games this season, the second-fewest in the association.

After the trade deadline is typically when teams begin to assess their current talent pools. While Wright is a fixture in the rotation, he'd be far more important to the Timberwolves as opposed to the Wizards.

Acquiring the veteran guard likely won't require numerous assets. A Milton-for-Wright swap may occur without any additional draft compensation.

For all things Timberwolves, be sure to stay tuned as we'll continue to have you covered leading up to the trade deadline and beyond.