NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves Looking To Add To Pack
The Minnesota Timberwolves this summer have had somewhat of a quiet summer. The moves that have happened though have been very key. Adding three point shooters and defensive specialists, and dumping bad contracts. Yes the usual rumor of the Timberwolves eyeing former Bulls players/players of head coach Tom Thibodeau Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, but some new names have been tossed out. The Wolves have added Arron Afflalo, Corey Brewer, and Nick Young into the mix.
All three of these players are unrestricted so they can go wherever they care to go. Afflalo was with the Orlando Magic last year, Brewer split the year between the Lakers and Thunder, and Young was on the Warriors.
Value The Players Bring
Corey Brewer seems to fit more of what Thibs would want in a player. Scrappy defender that has a constant motor running. Over his career he has learned to be lethal from the corner three spot as well. This would be his third stint with the wolves after being drafted by them in 2007 and playing with them until 2011 where he got traded. He ended back with the franchise again in 2013 playing with them for another season and a half. Brewer was always a fan favorite so he would be welcome back with open arms by fans.
Arron Afflalo would be a nice add on since he fits the description of 3 and D player perfectly. Granted last year with Orlando was one of the worst seasons of his career since his rookie season. He only managed in 13 minutes per game on a rebuilding Magic team. Afflalo also dealt with some injury issues only allowing him to play 53 games. When he did play he hit 38.6% of his three’s. The year before he shot 41% from deep. One thing though with Afflalo is that he is looking for a contending team. The Timberwolves are unfortunately not on that level yet.
Nick “Swaggy P” Young is a long shot signing. Long shot with Thibs showing legitimate interest with the crazy antics that can come with Young. Also Young might not show any true interest considering he’d be leaving sunny California where he was last year with the Warriors and before that with the Lakers, to come to the frozen tundra of Minnesota. If he did sign he would add an instant offense off the bench that the Timberwolves are looking for. He did shoot 37.7% in the heavy-3 oriented Warriors. One thing with Young to is the consistency is rarely there. He’d light you up one night and then for the next 4 games he’d maybe get 16 points total.
These players all could prove vital roles for this Minnesota Timberwolves squad that is still trying to fight to remain a playoff team in an incredibly competitive Western Conference. A problem though that still rises with the franchise is the willingness Coach Thibs has with playing his bench. Hopefully for the Timberwolves bench’s sake that mentality changes. Besides Tyus Jones and Gorgui Dieng, the entire bench is from Thibodeau’s stint as coach. Players to fit his playbook scheme.
Photo credit to Myumyun Myumyun via Flickr
