Timberwolves' plan for Johnny Juzang should be crystal clear

The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Johnny Juzang to a training camp contract last week. While it's just a training camp deal, Juzang has the ideal skill set to make the final roster. Juzang's blend of size (6-foot-7), shooting, and shot creation makes him well-equipped for at least one of the Wolves' final two roster spots. He likely won't be a mainstay in the Wolves' rotation, but he could certainly receive some spot minutes.

Juzang's skill set could benefit the Wolves

With the Utah Jazz last season, Juzang posted averages of 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 42.9/37.6/84.9 shooting splits. Undoubtedly, Juzang's best trait is his lights-out 3-point shooting. The UCLA product has shot 38.4 percent from beyond the arc on 4.7 attempts in the past two seasons with Utah. Notably, in this same stretch, 58.8 percent of Juzang's made field goals were from 3-point land.

The Timberwolves ranked fifth in made 3-pointers. However, in the modern NBA, you can never have enough shooting. As a result, this skill will always be Juzang's path to minutes and should at least keep him on an NBA roster. Having a wing with the ability to hit outside shots will always be valuable. In bench lineups, Juzang's shooting would be welcomed. But his shooting would allow him to fit nicely in lineups next to Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle if needed.

Juzang had a decorated college career at UCLA, highlighted by a 2021 Final Four run. He notably spent two years playing alongside current Wolves wing Jaylen Clark. Despite going undrafted in 2022 and not playing much as a rookie, Juzang managed to carve out a rotational role with the Jazz in the past two years.

Shooting isn't Juzang's only skill, however. He is also a solid shot creator and finisher who often attacks closeouts. While he's not an elite shot creator by any means, Juzang is at least solid in this regard. This also helps Juzang as a transition player, where he recorded a very solid 1.14 points per possession in transition. Overall, Juzang's blend of shooting and shot creation at his size makes him someone worth keeping around for the Wolves.

Juzang is worth a roster despite his flaws

It's worth acknowledging that Juzang has his flaws. Most notably, he was statistically one of the league's worst defenders last season. Juzang ranked in the 1st percentile for estimated defensive plus-minus. However, part of this could be attributed to playing on a rebuilding Jazz squad. Two other Jazz players appeared in the 1st percentile of this stat as well.

Playing for a competitive team with more talent surrounding him could benefit Juzang. Furthermore, with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and being just 24 years old, Juzang has the tools to improve defensively. Juzang will likely never be a great defender, but he could certainly be better than this stat shows. He did show some solid defensive flashes despite the poor metrics.

Juzang is somewhat of a scoring specialist and doesn't offer much as a playmaker. He would mainly be used as an off-ball shooter, but there's no denying he could thrive in this role.

Regardless of his flaws, Juzang's scoring talent should be too much to pass up for the Wolves. Minnesota hasn't signed another player to a training camp deal yet, but they likely will. Nevertheless, it will be challenging to find a player as skilled as Juzang. Ultimately, Juzang should have a clear path to earning a spot on the Wolves' final roster.