Where Does Jared Terrell Fit into the 2018-2019 Minnesota Timberwolves?
After Jared Terrell officially signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 22, 2018, I wanted to evaluate where he fits into the roster and the impact that he could make.
With his current contract, Terrell is a lock to be on Minnesota's G-League team and he can spend up to 45 days in the NBA with Minnesota. If the Weymouth native plays well enough in his time in the 2018 Summer League, as well as in the G-League and any time in the NBA, he could eventually sign a full-time NBA contract this season.
Unlike E.C. Matthews, who is trying to make it on to the rebuilding Memphis Grizzlies roster, Terrell is joining an NBA franchise that just made into the 2017-2018 playoffs as the eighth seed in the dominant Western conference.
As expected, the Timberwolves return their superstar core of Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Jimmy Butler. Last season, Taj Gibson, Nemanja Bjelica (restricted free agent), and Gorgui Dieng were the main supportive pieces in the frontcourt.
At face value, Tom Thibodeau's backcourt looks crowded based off of last season but that is currently changing. Jeff Teague will be returning to start at point guard, while being backed up by Tyus Jones. Meanwhile, veteran SG Jamal Crawford has already declined his 2018-2019 player option and guards Derrick Rose, Aaron Brooks, and Marcus George-Hunt are all free agents this offseason. Besides Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, and Tyus Jones there is a whole lot of uncertainty at the guard positions and a clear need for a player like Jared Terrell.
Besides any guard that they resign or add in offseason transactions, the Timberwolves are only looking at their second-round draft pick Josh Okogie and Jared Terrell to contribute to their backcourt this season. On Minnesota's current Summer League roster, Okogie, Terrell, and Egor Koulechov are the only shooting guards. All things considered, Jared Terrell signed into a great situation on a team that has already had recent success. Personally, I see Terrell adding a strong "3-and-D" presence to the Timberwolves by the end of the 2019 NBA season.
