During his first few seasons in the NBA, Terrence Shannon Jr. was a bit of a mystery box. He struggled to stay on the court in his first two seasons, playing in only 75 combined games, and there were major question marks coming into the season about how he could handle a more off-ball role.
But the third-year Minnesota Timberwolves guard is quickly proving those doubters wrong in the young season. In his previous two seasons, he was a 35.5 percent and 40.8 percent from shooter from distance. Those numbers are solid, but the volume was incredibly low, and he struggled on spot-up looks.
This season, Shannon is taking by far the most amount of 3-pointers per game in his career with five per game. He's also knocking them down at a 50 percent clip, which is extremely impressive. Obviously, that number won't stick, but it's proving that he doesn't need the ball to be successful, which is key for his future with the Wolves.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is playing better than anyone would have expected
It's not to say that there aren't still some concerns. He still can't do much with his right hand, and there are times when he's out of control going to the paint. However, the aspects of his game he showed flashes of in the playoffs last season are on display in a full-time rotational role now.
Shannon can generate free-throw opportunities at a rate that arguably tops anybody on the roster, including Anthony Edwards, albeit the team has struggled so badly at the line for it to matter. He's improved greatly at playmaking, and in Monday's overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he filled p the box score with 14 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Going into the year, there were thoughts that he could be a potential trade deadline candidate if the Wolves needed to improve their roster because his fit at the time didn't make a lot of sense given how many players on the team needed the ball in their hands.
However, he's emerged as the clear seventh man, and he's scored in double figures in every game so far this season. The Wolves are off to a blazing start, and could be 4-0 if a couple of shots, free throws (ugh), and calls (also ugh) went their way. Shannon is a huge part of it.
If his high level of play continues, he'll only further cement himself as a part of Minnesota's long-term core. A lot of people had their doubts at the start of the year, but he's shown that he doesn't need a ton of on-ball touches to be effective on offense.
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