Category: Minnesota T-Wolves Blog

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Timberwolves sign Troy Brown Jr.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward Troy Brown Jr.

Brown Jr., 6-6, spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers where he averaged 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in a career-high 76 games, including a career-best 45 starts. His 7.1 ppg last season marked his most since averaging a career-best 10.4 ppg during the 2019-20 season. In five NBA seasons with the Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, Brown Jr. has tallied 1,949 points, 1,144 rebounds, 448 assists and 211 steals throughout 297 games (84 starts).

The Las Vegas native, has seen action in 15 postseason matchups during two playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals this past season. He holds playoff career averages of 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game. Brown Jr. was originally selected by the Wizards with the 15th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Timberwolves sign rookie Jaylen Clark to two-way contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed rookie guard Jaylen Clark to a two-way contract.

Clark was selected by the Wolves with the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Clark, 6-5, was named the 2022-23 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, 2022-23 NABC Defensive Player of the Year and 2022-23 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, UCLA’s first defensive player of the year winner since Russell Westbrook in 2007-08. He averaged 13.0 points, 1.9 assists and a Pac-12 leading 2.6 steals per game (tied for fourth-best in the nation).

Additionally, Clark was named to the 2022-23 All-Pac-12 Second Team and was a two-time Pac 12 All-Defensive Team honoree (2021-22 and 2022-23).

The Riverside, Calif., native played on an AAU team with current NBA players Evan and Isaiah Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu. Clark attended the same high school (Etiwanda High School) as current Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin.

Timberwolves re-sign Luka Garza to two-way contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday re-signed forward Luka Garza to a two-way contract.

The 6-10 forward completed his second season in the NBA, first in Minnesota where he appeared in 28 games, averaging 6.5 points on 54.3% shooting from the field, and 35.9% from three and 2.3 rebounds. Garza shined in back-to-back games for the Wolves this season, scoring a career-high 25 points in Utah on Feb. 8 and grabbing a season-high nine rebounds the previous night, Feb. 7, in Denver.

Garza appeared in 15 games (all starts) for the Iowa Wolves this season, averaging 30.7 points, on 63.3% shooting from the floor and 47.1 from deep, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists game. After being selected as a captain for the NBA G League Next Up Game, Garza led Team Luka to a 178-162 win over Team Scoot in Salt Lake City on Feb. 19 as part of the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend. He was named MVP after scoring 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting along with eight rebounds in 21:15 minutes of action.

The Washington D.C. native spent four seasons at the University of Iowa, where he ended his college career as Iowa’s all-time leading scorer (2,306 points), marking the seventh-highest scoring total in Big Ten history. Garza earned unanimous 2020-21 National Player of the Year honors after averaging 24.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 31.6 minutes per game in 31 games during his final season. Additionally, he was named a two-time unanimous All-America First Team selection (2020-21 and 2019-20) and two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2020-21 and 2019-20).

Garza was originally selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 52nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Timberwolves hire Corliss Williamson as an assistant coach

The Minnesota Timberwolves today named Corliss Williamson Assistant Coach.

Williamson comes to the Wolves after previous coaching stops with the Sacramento Kings (2013-16), Orlando Magic (2016-18) and Phoenix Suns (2018-19).

“Corliss is a fantastic addition to our staff,” said Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch. “He brings a wealth of experience, both in the NBA and on the collegiate level. He will make a significant impact in a variety of areas of the team. We look forward to welcoming him and his family to our Timberwolves family.”

Prior to his coaching career, Williamson enjoyed a 12-year NBA playing career from 1995-2007 that featured stops with Detroit, Philadelphia and Sacramento, highlighted by being a member of the 2004 Pistons Championship team. Regarded as one of the best role players during his career, “Big Nasty” was named 2001-02 NBA Sixth Man of the Year. In 822 career games (293 starts), he averaged 11.2 points on 49.0% shooting and 3.9 rebounds. From 1995-96 through 2006-07, no player in the NBA totaled more bench points (5,192) than Williamson.

“I can’t wait to join the Minnesota Timberwolves staff and be a part of what Tim and Chris are building here in Minnesota,” Williamson said. “We have a lot of talent on this roster and I’m excited to get to work with our guys to help them be the best players on and off the court.”

Prior to coaching in the NBA, the Russellville, Ark. native served as an assistant coach for Arkansas Baptist College from 2007-2009 before being named the school’s head coach in 2009. Williamson also served as the head coach at the University of Central Arkansas from 2010-2013.

Timberwolves sign Naz Reid to contract extension

The Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday signed center Naz Reid to a contract extension.

Reid, 23, wrapped up his fourth season in the NBA, all with the Timberwolves, seeing action in 68 games (11 starts), averaging a career-high 11.5 points on a career-best 53.7% shooting, a career-high 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.

Per the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, “Reid was viewed as a linchpin for this team by even the major stakeholders. Which is what made re-signing the free agent this offseason so pivotal for the franchise’s future. Minnesota got that done Sunday, as a source confirmed the Wolves and Reid agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal that features a player option in the third year.”

The Louisiana State product saw his best season of his NBA career during the 2022-23 season, which included tallying a career-high-tying four double-doubles, a career-best eight 20+ point games and a career-high-tying four 10+ rebound performances. In 20:46 minutes of action off the bench during Minnesota’s 99-96 win on Mar. 26 against the Warriors, Reid led the Wolves in scoring, finishing with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. On Feb. 26 at Golden State, Reid led the way for the Wolves, scoring a career-high 30 points on a career-best-tying 12-of-22 shooting, including 4-of-11 from deep and nine rebounds. He added a career-high five steals and two blocks, becoming the first player in Timberwolves history to finish a game with 30+ points/9+ rebounds/2+ blocks/5+ steals.

For his career, the 6-9 center has appeared in 245 regular season games (43 starts), averaging 10.1 points on 50.5% shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Reid has seen action in five career playoff games and has averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

The Asbury Park, N.J. native was originally signed by the Wolves on July 17, 2019.

Timberwolves center Naz Reid injury update

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on center Naz Reid, who suffered a left wrist injury at the 8:26 minute mark of the fourth quarter Wednesday at Phoenix:

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken yesterday at Mayo Clinic Square by Dr. Kelechi Okoroha on Reid revealed a left scaphoid fracture. He will be out indefinitely and further updates to his progress will be provided when available.

In 68 games (11 starts) this season, Reid is averaging career highs with 11.5 points on 53.7% shooting and 4.9 rebounds, along with 1.1 assists per game.

Karl-Anthony Towns makes long-awaited return for Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns is finally back in action. Via the Pioneer Press:

After missing the previous 52 games with a calf strain suffered in late November, Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns made his much-anticipated return to action Wednesday in front of a packed Target Center crowd eager to see its all-star big back in uniform.

He did not disappoint.

While appearing to be short of wind at various points, Towns’ production was strong throughout. He made his first two 3-point tries and showed few to no signs of rust. Towns finished with 22 points on 8-for-18 shooting, and Minnesota outscored Atlanta by 13 during his 26 minutes of action.

And with 3.6 seconds left and Minnesotan trailing by a point, Towns received the ball in the middle of the floor. At that point, the big said, “the game was over.”

The Timberwolves are 37-37 this season, which ties them with the Thunder for the 7th best record in the Western conference.

Karl-Anthony Towns appears close to return for Timberwolves

Is Karl-Anthony Towns set to return from injury for the Minnesota Timberwolves? Maybe. Via the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Towns hasn’t played since suffering a calf strain Nov. 29. Edwards has missed the last two contests with an ankle sprain suffered Friday in Chicago.

But Towns has been ramping up his activity of late and Edwards’ injury was not as serious as initially feared, so a Wednesday return, while surprising, also seemed plausible.

But Timberwolves coach Chris Finch poured a little cold water on the idea during his radio interview Tuesday with WCCO host Chad Hartman. Hartman directly asked Finch if he expected both Towns and Edwards to play against the Hawks.

“I do not,” Finch said. “They’re both in evaluation periods and they’re definitely on separate timelines. Whether those timelines end up coming together at the same point, I’m not sure. They’re very different.”

Both players were listed as questionable for Wednesday’s contest on the injury report released Tuesday afternoon by the team.

Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns remains out

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been sidelined since Nov. 28 due to a right calf strain:

Towns is continuing to progress in his rehabilitation program and has been participating in basketball activities. He is expected to return in the coming weeks and further updates to his playing status will be provided when available.

In 21 games (all starts) this season, Towns is averaging 20.8 points on 50.5% shooting, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

Return date for Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns remains uncertain

Via the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

When or if Karl-Anthony Towns returns to the court this season, [Timberwolves coach Chris] Finch has said he and Towns are open to different avenues of what that return might look like. That could include Towns coming off the bench, especially if he is on a minutes restriction when he starts playing again.

“We feel KAT is able to help us regardless of what the situation is,” Finch said. “If it’s a minutes restriction, maybe you’re strategic and he comes off the bench to start with that, depending what the minutes are. I think he would be open to anything at that point in time.”

Finch said whenever Towns is ready to play, he would play. Even if there were only a few games left in the season, Towns would be back in the rotation if he was physically ready to play. There would be no point at which the Wolves would just shut Towns down for the season.