One of the most exciting aspects of an NBA training camp is the younger, often undrafted and unproven players that get their shot at a spot on the team. The older, star-level and more experienced players that have carried a team through a playoff run obviously have guaranteed spots on a team, but the players on short-term or non-guaranteed contracts do not. The Minnesota Timberwolves will head into training camp with several of these types of players on their roster.
Minnesota has already added Skylar Mays and Eugene Omoruyi to non-guaranteed deals which will allow them to join the team at training camp. Both these guys have prior experience in the league, but neither have proven themselves worthy of a full-time roster spot to this point. Now, they will be joined by Jaedon LeDee, who just agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with the Timberwolves on Wednesday.
LeDee, a former college standout who actually participated with Minnesota at the 2024 Summer League, will have the chance to outperform his peers and potentially earn a spot on the Wolves' roster for at least the preseason. Jaedon is an interesting player that could end up being a fit on Minnesota's roster for a few reasons.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Jaedon LeDee, league sources told @hoopshype. LeDee played with Minnesota in Summer League. At San Diego State, LeDee won the 2024 Karl Malone Award, awarded to the best power forward in the nation. pic.twitter.com/NWDRefz3tm
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 18, 2024
Minnesota signed Jaedon LeDee to an Exhibit-10 deal
The first reason why LeDee could surprise fans and coaches alike at training camp is his age. Much like 2024 second-round pick Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaedon is an experienced former college player with several years of collegiate ball under his belt. He began his college career at Ohio State, before playing two seasons at Texas Christian and finishing up at San Diego State.
It was his final season with the Aztecs in San Diego that LeDee truly began to shine. He put up a career-best 21.4 points per night in 36 games for San Diego State, which was good for nearly three times as high as his previous career high in points. He did it while shooting an impressive 56% from the floor and 44% from three, both excellent signs for his efficiency at the professional level.
That leads us into the next green flag for Jaedon, which is his player archetype. LeDee earned the Karl Malone Award for the best power forward in college basketball during the 2023-24 season. He took home that accolade partly due to his excellent jump shooting, a skill that will benefit him greatly in the NBA.
Overall, it is hard to say that any player joining a team for training camp on an Exhibit-10 deal will be a shoo-in to make the team. But Jaedon feels like he has as good a shot as anyone due to his experience, feel for the game and potential fit on this Timberwolves roster.