The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to give three young players increased roles. Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark didn't play a ton last year. However, with Nickeil-Alexander Walker leaving in free agency and Mike Conley aging, there will be significant open minutes for these three players. In the second apron era, getting quality minutes out of players on rookie deals is vital. With these three players, and rookie big man Joan Beringer, the Wolves are poised to do just that.
With Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert all making $30-plus million per year, along with Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid making just over $25 million a year, the Wolves' payroll is fairly high. Despite still having roster openings, the Wolves are just narrowly below the second apron. As a result, it becomes all the more vital to draft and develop young talent.
The Wolves' young players will have significant roles
While Shannon, Clark, and Dillingham weren't mainstays in the Wolves' rotation last year, they all showed flashes of their upside. Shannon scored 35 points in the last three games of the Western Conference finals, showing he is already a capable rotation player. His three-level scoring and athleticism give him plenty of upside. With a bigger role this season, Shannon is poised to have a breakout season.
Clark showed incredible on-ball defense in his minutes last season. His 13.1 minutes per game were the most among these three players. Furthermore, he shot 43.1 percent from beyond the arc, a trend that must continue for Clark to maximize his minutes. Clark's blend of high-level defense and solid off-ball abilities on offense makes him a quality young wing.
Dillingham has immense potential as a shot creator who has solid playmaking chops. His speed and ability to create shots for himself give the Wolves a much-needed new element in the backcourt. While there are some concerns about Dillingham's size, his on-ball gifts are undeniable. He is poised for a significant scoring jump and will be a key part of the Wolves' rotation.
Beringer might not play much as a rookie. However, his two-way upside is clear, and he is especially gifted on defense. The Wolves view him as the long-term plan at center and will eventually get some value out of him on his rookie deal.
The Wolves' young talent is an undeniable advantage
Ultimately, having three key contributors on rookie deals is a massive advantage in the second apron era. Having two solid young wings waiting makes replacing Alexander-Walker easier. Eventually, having several quality young players could allow the Wolves to afford extending Donte DiVincenzo, or it could make them more comfortable replacing him.
As older players, like Conley and Rudy Gobert, age, having Dillingham and Beringer waiting to take over will benefit the Wolves. The Wolves' young talent will be a massive advantage for them this year and for the future.