Minnesota Timberwolves Send 1st Round Pick to G-League

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Nov 19, 2024

Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves — Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

This offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves roster got shuffled by way of a blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns trade that landed Julius Randle from the New York Knicks. But that wasn’t the only big trade that president of basketball operations Tim Connelly made this summer.

Back during the June draft, the Wolves swung a huge trade into the top-10, where they selected Rob Dillingham (Kentucky). Later in the round, they selected wing Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois). At the time, both players were touted as ready-made NBA talents by Connelly. So far… that has not been the case.

Terrence Shannon Jr. sent packing by Minnesota Timberwolves

Through the first few weeks of the season, Shannon Jr. has played in just four games. He’s scored just four total points, in 3.8 minutes per game. So after not logging a minute, in any of the past five contests, the Minnesota Timberwolves are sending their No 27 overall pick to G-League Iowa.

NEWS: @Timberwolves assign guard Terrence Shannon Jr. to G League affiliate @iawolves.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 19, 2024

Chris Finch runs a relatively tight rotation. Even with Conley struggling out of the gate, Dillingham hasn’t been unleashed either. The Kentucky product has played in just seven games and has averaged less than six minutes each night out.

His handles and passing ability are the calling card, but we have yet to really see it. Finch may be inclined to give Dillingham more run before a similar assignment, but that remains to be seen. If not, it makes sense to send him down too. These rookies aren’t developing on the bench. They need to play.

Terrence Shannon Jr.'s first bucket of #NBA2KSummerLeague is a HUGE poster slam 🤯

Pels-Wolves | Live on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/2XSUiIeQXn
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2024

Rob Dillingham continues to show promising defensive IQ and aggression, particularly in PnRs. The biggest thing: he hasn't looked like a glaring liability in his short stints.

Probably waited too long collapsing the paint on the 2nd clip, but still a good possession. pic.twitter.com/VXERdf56UL
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) November 18, 2024

Ultimately this Anthony Edwards-led team is in win-now mode. After coming up just short of the NBA Finals last season, they are seeking an opportunity to play for a championship. Rookies are along for the ride, but easing them in with games on the line is tough. We’ll see how both players progress as the regular season draws on.

It’s still more than likely that Shannon Jr. finds his footing through G-League development more than the Bronny James charade should yield.