Right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves have two open roster spots. In all likelihood, just one will be filled so the Wolves can stay under the second apron.
Most fans of the team would love for Jonathan Kuminga to be the player they sign. It’s still a possibility, and he would fit right into the starting power forward role for Minnesota.
If Kuminga chooses to go elsewhere, the Wolves could follow what the New York Knicks did during last year’s training camp: hold a good old-fashioned training camp battle.
Strategy helped Knicks in part win a title
The Knicks, of course, are the reigning NBA champions. Before last season tipped off, they appeared to have three players competing for one roster spot.
Malcolm Brogdon ended up retiring and taking his name out of the running. In the end, Landry Shamet beat out Garrison Mathews. Shamet ended up playing a large role in the team’s championship run, even playing 24.2 minutes per contest in the five games of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
It doesn’t always work out that well, of course, but there’s no harm in having players compete for a spot on the roster. Kuminga would help fill the need for a power forward, but after him, there’s no free agent who would be guaranteed minutes.
An NBA team can carry up to 21 players on its training camp roster. With Minnesota currently carrying 13 standard contracts and three two-way deals, the team can add up to five players to camp. A few of those players could fit the Wolves’ needs, such as a power forward or a third big behind Rudy Gobert and Joan Beringer.
Someone like Zyon Pullin, who is currently on a two-way contract, seems like an excellent choice to be converted to a standard deal. He played marvelously in both the summer league in July and the G League last season. What makes signing Pullin to a standard contract less obvious is that he is strictly a guard at 6-foot-4, and Minnesota has less of a need for backcourt players.
In the end, if Kuminga decides to join the Wolves, their roster is essentially set. That wouldn’t necessarily mean bringing in players for training camp wouldn’t be needed. Tim Connelly has never been shy about making a deal, so if someone comes in and proves themselves, a trade could be made to open up a roster spot.
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