A lot of the talk about the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offseason is about players that could be brought in. But there’s also a deep discussion about the core of the team. With several players 26 years old or younger, there are plenty of bright futures in Minnesota, including reserve Terrence Shannon Jr.
Shannon battled injuries throughout the season, which limited him to 43 games. But he took off during the playoffs when Donte DiVincenzo tore his Achilles and head coach Chris Finch gave him more ball-handling responsibilities. The result was a new role at point guard and one that Finch can see being replicated going into next season.
“We saw what TJ can do. It was good to see him back. We finally found the best deployment of him,” Finch said during an interview with Paul Allen on KFAN’s 9 to Noon show last week. “He’s one of these guys who needs the ball in his hands more. I think he can play well alongside Anthony as the primary handler. …I think that’s part of the solution there, internally. He’s just gotta stay healthy and continue to build on what he did.”
Getting the ball in Shannon’s hands more seems like a simple adjustment. But with the Wolves looking for a point guard this offseason, it’s a difficult spot that could alter their offseason plans.
Timberwolves’ vision for Terrence Shannon Jr. could get cloudy with offseason plans
Until the playoffs came around, Shannon’s second season felt like a disappointment. While the injuries played a factor, he averaged just 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Although his 3-point percentage improved from 35.5 percent in his rookie year to 40.8 percent last year, his overall shooting numbers sank from 48.2 percent during the 2024-25 campaign to 45 percent last season.
The first four games of last year’s playoffs continued that trend as he didn’t play in the first two games of the first round series with the Denver Nuggets and was inactive for the third game, but DiVincenzo’s injury in Game 4 altered his trajectory.
Shannon’s first spike in playing time came in Game 5 against the Nuggets and he performed well, making 6-of-10 shots, including 2-of-4 3-pointers, while scoring 15 points. He wound up getting the start in Game 6 when Ayo Dosunmu was sidelined with a calf injury, dropping 24 points and grabbing six rebounds to help the Wolves secure a series win.
While his 39.8 percent field goal percentage wasn’t impressive over the final eight games of the Wolves’ playoff run, Shannon looked more comfortable, using his speed to attack the rim. It was a change from Finch’s tendency to use Shannon as a spot-up shooter from the corners and something he lamented as the season came to a close.
Seeing Shannon in this role could be something the Wolves do moving forward. But it may not be possible with a spike in playing time if they follow through on some of the early offseason rumors.
A target like Kyrie Irving would command the ball in his hands next to Anthony Edwards, and even a modest move like bringing back Dosunmu in free agency could cut into Shannon’s ability to play with the ball in his hands.
In addition, Shannon had just 1.5 assists per game over his eight-game playing spike, leaving questions about his ability to facilitate and make decisions within Finch’s offense.
The Wolves probably were intrigued by Shannon’s postseason performance and that could lead to a bigger role. But with Minnesota searching for a second star – and possibly one that could play point guard – it could leave both sides in a tough position as they head into the offseason.
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