The Minnesota Timberwolves had their 2026 Las Vegas Summer League opener on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Timberwolves are now 1-0 after their 105-92 victory. Zyon Pullin was impactful throughout the course of the game.
Not only did Pullin lead the team in playing time on Thursday (played 31 of 40 minutes), but he was on triple-double watch as well. His outing concluded with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 12 assists, a steal, and two blocks.
Amazon Prime announcer and former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy certainly took notice by saying, “I’m going to be shocked if Zyon Pullin isn’t on an NBA roster this year.”
Later on during the game, Van Gundy added, “I would not be the least bit surprised if he was in someone’s rotation…He has just been in control of this total game. I am sure that Chris Finch and his staff are very impressed in what they have seen from Zyon Pullin today.”
Undrafted out of Florida in 2024, Pullin has appeared in just eight regular season games in the NBA thus far. Pullin is looking for his first guaranteed contract that lasts for the whole season and if his first summer league game is any indication he has an extremely compelling case toward this goal.
Pullin made his mark throughout Thursday's game
The 25-year-old agreed to a two-way contract with the Timberwolves back in March, and he currently is on that same deal for this season. Pullin received action in five games for Minnesota after joining them.
He has also received two-way contracts with the Miami Heat (waived before the 2024-25 season began) and the Memphis Grizzlies (played three games for them in 2024-25).
Pullin would certainly love to land a standard contract for the first time, whether with the Timberwolves or another club. He excelled with the Iowa Wolves of the G League in 2025-26, and he was named the league’s player of the month in November. He only attempted one 3-pointer on Thursday, but he was quite the marksman both with Iowa and in his last collegiate year playing for the Florida Gators.
The Timberwolves no longer have a pressing need for a point guard. Still, a third point guard behind LaMelo Ball and Bones Hyland could be helpful. Pullin's blend of playmaking poise, scoring prowess, and defense could make him the perfect man for the job.
The summer league allows Pullin to showcase his game for the entire NBA. Chris Finch was in attendance on Thursday, and I’m sure he came away liking what he saw from him. Perhaps if the Timberwolves trade Josh Green, which some expect them to, that would open up a backcourt spot on the team that Pullin can be inserted into.
In any event, summer league could certainly help Pullin earn a standard roster spot with the Timberwolves.
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