Josh Minott News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/josh-minott/ Minnesota sports, but different Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:40:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Josh Minott News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/josh-minott/ 32 32 MN Timberwolves Let Promising Young Bigs Walk https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/luka-garza-josh-minott-team-options-declined-free-agency/ Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:58:45 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=64485 The NBA Draft is in the rearview mirror. The Minnesota Timberwolves used their two selections on two 18-year-old big men, Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarski. Days later, they spent money on extensions for both Naz Reid and Julius Randle.

With president of basketball operations Tim Connelly adding and retaining four post players in the last week, the Wolves decided it was time to let two of their young depth bigs hit the open market.

Luka Garza and Josh Minott have Minnesota Timberwolves options declined

The Minnesota Timberwolves are up against the second apron when it comes to luxury tax implications for 2025-26 season. That’s part of the reason that expectations are for Nickeil Alexander-Walker to move on. Luka Garza and Josh Minott weren’t necessarily on the radar, but they’re now on the way out.

As The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski points out, it’s possible that the MN Timberwolves bring Garza back with a mid-level exception. That isn’t exactly straightforward though, considering Minnesota still needs to spend on other areas of the roster.

Related: Former Timberwolves Guard Being Investigated for Betting on NBA Games

Luka Garza is something of a fan-favorite considering he hails from Iowa. After playing for the Pistons as a rookie, Garza has spent three seasons with the Timberwolves. He never averaged more than 8.7 minutes per game, and his 3.5 points per game last season were a career-low.

Head coach Chris Finch didn’t routinely put Garza on the floor, but he did show some flashes during limited stretches. It’s unfortunate the Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t keeping him around on such a minimal contract, but that’s what happens when you’re up against the 2nd apron for the second-straight season, like the Wolves are.

What will Timberwolves lose with Minott, Garza departures?

Josh Minott has been more hype than production pretty much since the moment Minnesota selected him in the 2nd round of the 2022 NBA Draft. as was expected with his raw profile.

In his third year with the Timberwolves, the former Memphis big man averaged 22 points and 6.3 rebounds per game down in Iowa, along with 2.6 points in 6.0 minutes per game in the NBA. Without a doubt, both Garza and Minott will have NBA opportunities on the open market.

The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski even left the door open for a possible Luka Garza return (on the mid-level exception), though that sounds unlikely. While the Wolves may now be on the lookout for a veteran post to stash on the end of the bench, it doesn’t sound like Garza will be that guy.

Now entering the meat of the National Basketball Association offseason, Minnesota is still in need of another ball handler and/or wing scorer to help ease the offensive weight on Anthony Edwards’ shoulders. But after they paid Naz and Randle, they don’t really have money to do either.

Free agency officially begins on Monday June 30 at 5pm central time, though deals cannot be officially signed until July 6th. As expected for a while, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will join Luka Garza and Josh Minott as Minnesota Timberwolves who will be swimming in that rather shallow 2025 NBA free agency pool.

]]> Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:40:27 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Has Josh Minott Forced His Way into the Minnesota Timberwolves Rotation? https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-rumors/josh-minott-wolves-rotation-chances-2024-25/ Sat, 19 Oct 2024 12:45:02 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=56348 The Minnesota Timberwolves roster will look different when they step on the court Tuesday in Los Angeles to start their 2024-25 season vs the Lakers. Karl-Anthony Towns is no longer on the team. Julius Randle takes his place in the Wolves’ frontcourt. Donte DiVincenzo, the other incoming piece from that blockbuster deal, should provide three point acumen, a bulldog mentality and even minutes at point guard.

If we learned anything during the preseason though, it’s that the Timberwolves have some young dudes trying to bust into the rotation, too. Luka Garza has been pounding on that door for a year, now. Leonard Miller is another guy who is too good for the G-League, at this point in his career.

But there’s another stretch big who, without a doubt, has forced Chris Finch’s hand. The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Josh Minott in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft. A one-and-done out of Memphis (14.6 MPG, 6.6 PTS, 3.8 RPG), Minott’s been a productive professional since his arrival in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Josh Minott and his a blowup preseason for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Josh Minott, Minnesota Timberwolves
Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

He hasn’t played as many G-League games as you might think, averaging 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in 17 regular season G-League games the last two seasons. If you have watched him play this preseason, those stats aren’t surprising to you. Minott can do it all, both inside and out, on offense and defense.

In the Timberwolves’ six exhibition contests, Josh Minott averaged 12 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1 steal, in 23.5 minutes per game. The 6’8″ 205 pound 21-year-old also shot 45% from deep. In a preseason where multiple Wolves youngsters stood out, it was Minott who grabbed the most attention.

“Josh Minott has had an incredible summer. He has probably been one of our best players in the last six weeks here in the gym, watching us play.”

Chris Finch on Josh Minott (via the Pioneer Press)

As a rookie, Minott played in just 15 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season, that number jumped to 32. In 2024-25, it appears he’s still on the outside looking in, at least to start the season.

Minott still stuck outside the Wolves’ rotation

According to Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic), Minott is one of three players who are trying to bust their way into the regular nightly rotation. And all three are dudes. Luka Garza goes for 30 points every time he steps on the floor and Rob Dillingham was picked No. 8 overall in this summer’s NBA Draft.

Right now, there does not seem to be a regular rotation spot for him on one of the deepest teams in the league. Finch said he will play 10 guys to start the season, and it appears that Garza, Dillingham and Josh Minott are competing for the 11th spot right now.

Jon Krawczynski – The Athletic

Related: Minnesota Timberwolves Reveal the Worst Official Hashtag in Social Media History

“I think it’s situational. Defensively I think Josh still has to understand, like um, awareness, readiness, stuff like that. I think that’s going to come when he gets more of the high speed reps against real competition. Maybe playing a bit more instinctual defensively rather than trying to think too much. Sometimes I think he’s overthinking things defensively at times. His pursuit to the ball was good today. Just some gameplan stuff I think was misapplied, but other than that, played well. He’s had a great camp.”

Related: Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Makes Top 10 Debut in NBA Rankings

Ultimately, if the Timberwolves are going to take a step forward this season, it will be because of contributions from new faces. Minott could be among those, and that would be a testament to the decisions Tim Connelly continues to make from an organizational building perspective.

]]> Sat, 19 Oct 2024 07:45:07 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors Minnesota Timberwolves Julius Randle Still Doesn’t Make Logical Sense on the Timberwolves https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-rumors/julius-randle-does-not-fit-wolves/ Sat, 05 Oct 2024 17:34:03 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=55790 The Minnesota Timberwolves played the first game of their 2024-25 preseason on Friday night. There were a lot of interesting takeaways, given how different this team now looks, even without newcomer Julius Randle on the floor.

But without a doubt, there was one observation that overshadowed all the others in last night’s 124-107 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers: President of Basketball Operations had no other choice than to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns, especially after they were able to retain Luka Garza in the offseason.

Minnesota Timberwolves flush with front-court talent

Calm down, this is not about comparing the Iowa Hawkeye legend to KAT. This is about ALL of the big man depth on display last night. Rudy Gobert (2 PTS, 2 REB) and Naz Reid (5 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL) started in the Wolves front court. They played 10 minutes together, all in the 1st quarter. Minnesota was +10 during that time.

Unsurprisingly, Rudy Gobert was a bit bumbly and stumbly. He also had 2 fouls, a TO and went 0/2 shooting free throws. So Rudy’s statline could be a Shaq punchline by Monday. But the real ones know. Rudy is who he is and he is going to help the Minnesota Timberwolves win a bunch of regular season basketball games this season.

Then, there’s the aforementioned Naz Reid, who was hands-down the best player on the floor last night between both starting units. At this point in his development, there really isn’t anything Naz can’t do. Put a smaller defender on him, and he’ll play big.

Related: NBA Insider Reveals Even More Details On Why Timberwolves Traded KAT

Put a big man on him, and Reid will bounce out to the perimeter, where he’s absolutely lethal from deep. If that post defender somehow finds his way out in time, few offer any hope of keeping the 6’9″, 25 y/o athletic freak of nature in front of them.

Does Julius Randle really fit on the Wolves roster with Naz Reid?

And that brings us to Julius Randle. He doesn’t fit on this roster for the same reason KAT didn’t… or the same reason former GM Thad Levine apparently didn’t fit in the Minnesota Twins organization anymore, right across the street.

Because younger, cheaper talent, with brighter horizons than what the 6’9″ 29 y/o former comeback player of the year has left to offer. Actually, Randle turns 30 y/o in November, so that’s probably the better age to see him as. Naz just turned 25 at the end of August. Oh, and did you know 6’9″ Jaden McDaniels is also listed as a power forward? He just turned 24 y/o last week.

None of this is a knock on Julius Randle. He is one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. He averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists in 46 games last season. He’s got a deep bag of tricks and he’s able to create his own shot, just about anywhere on the floor.

In fact, he does a lot of the same things that Naz Reid does — some better, some worse. Randle is more polished down low and has proven himself as a more consistent offensive weapon, during the course of his career. But if you didn’t notice above, he’s also four years older than Reid (almost five).

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Timberwolves in Preseason Shellacking of Lakers

At 31% last season, Julius Randle doesn’t have nearly the outside shooting prowess that Naz does, either. The former LSU big man shot an absurd 41.4% on 408 three-point attempts last season, establishing himself right up there with KAT as, not just one of the best outside big men in the league, but one of the best outside shooters, period.

What about Luka Garza and Josh Minott?

Now, I said earlier that this article isn’t about Luka Garza, and it isn’t. At least, it’s not all about him. But our favorite underrated midwestern big man did put up 20 points and 9 rebounds, on 7-of-13 shooting.

Oh, and then there’s Josh Minott, who finished as last night’s leading scorer and completely dominated his time on the court, both offensively and defensively, posting 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks (+18). Clearly, his development is ready for the next step, too.

How many big men is this roster going to play? All six? I can’t imagine Luka Garza would have returned again, if he was told he’d be riding pine for another 82 games. Same thing with Naz Reid, who could have gotten a lot more money elsewhere, last offseason, but decided to come back.

What do they know that we don’t know? Because Julius Randle played 35 minutes per game last season, but Naz is clearly ready for a starting role. Is Randle going to come off the bench? Is Naz? We just dealt Karl-Anthony Towns, in part because of all the young front court talent on roster.

Related: Knicks Finally Made a Trade Offer for KAT that Timberwolves Could Not Refuse

Is it worth slowing the growth of Josh Minott, Luka Garza and Naz Reid for a one-season rental of Julius Randle? Because when Tim Connelly takes an honest look at the Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-25 roster, as currently constructed, he has to be bothered by how much better it could be.

The Wolves need the same thing they did last season. They need a high-end wing who can create from the perimeter, opposite Anthony Edwards… like Kevin Durant, for example.

Trading Julius Randle for a wing makes the Minnesota Timberwolves way better

We saw how the absence of that player hurt the Wolves, throughout their 2023-24 playoff run. Jaden Daniels just isn’t that dude, at least not yet. And the Wolves paid for it over and over again last summer. I know Randle, coaches and executives have talked each other up with media. Finch loves Randle and Randle loves Finch… blah, blah blah.

Maybe it’ll happen, maybe it won’t. But repackaging Julius Randle and trading him for an elite veteran wing (like Kevin Durant) would make this team way better. With Towns’ money off the books, a move like that should be a lot easier to complete, too.

Related: Why Did the Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Karl-Anthony Towns?

Plus, swapping out an elite big for an elite wing would unclog the logjam of talent in Minnesota’s front-court, while simultaneously taking pressure off of those young big men, offensively. They gain experience, but the weight of being a volume scorer on an NBA Finals-caliber team would not be on their young, blossoming shoulders. Not with Ant and another elite wing (like Kevin Durant) on the floor with them.

]]> Sat, 05 Oct 2024 15:06:42 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors Minnesota Timberwolves What We Learned About the Minnesota Timberwolves in Preseason Shellacking of Lakers https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-games/lakers-vs-wolves-recap-nba-preseason-opener-2024/ Sat, 05 Oct 2024 14:48:23 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=55786 The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their 2024-25 preseason on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, in one of the more exciting Wolves preseason games I’ve watched in a long time. All 10 of Minnesota’s expected rotation players got run, except Anthony Edwards and centerpiece of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, Julius Randle.

Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all played 10 minutes each. Joe Ingles played 11 and even Mike Conley got in 8 first half minutes, before the Wolves’ 37-year-old leader called it a night. Most of the minutes went to Josh Minott (29), Luka Garza (22), rookie – Terrence Shannon Jr (27) and rookie – Rob Dillingham (25).

Minnesota Timberwolves dominate Los Angeles Lakers in preseason opener

From start to finish, this was mostly a Minnesota Timberwolves beatdown of the LA Lakers, who didn’t have LeBron James or Anthony Davis playing. The Wolves top unit jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter, and passed that off to a 2nd unit that almost buried LA before this contest even got to halftime.

With 10:09 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Minnesota took a 46-25 lead on a Josh Minott 3-pointer, making it feel like the night might get way out of hand. It didn’t. The Lakers made a comeback late in the 2nd quarter, and into the 3rd, even cutting the Wolves lead to two points (82-80), with 3:12 remaining in the period.

The Minnesota Timberwolves then got their flow back, thanks to rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr, along with 3rd year former 2nd round pick, Josh Minott, who showed off a lot of skill and rare size to go with it (see below). When the dust settled in Palm Springs, the Timberwolves walked away exhibition victors, 124-107.

But who cares about preseason scores or results. Let’s talk about what we really learned about the Wolves in their preseason opener.

Lesson 1. Donte DiVincenzo might be the biggest key in KAT trade

Donte DiVincenzo -Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers (Preseason)
Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

I am not making this a key, just to be hyperbolic. Night in, and night out, casuals who watch the Minnesota Timberwolves play — and those who just check box scores or watch highlight clips — are going to see Julius Randle.

The guy’s a walking double/double who can get his own shot and act as a secondary takeover option on a nightly basis. If there is too much defensive focus on Anthony Edwards or if he isn’t available, for whatever reason, Julius Randle will be Minnesota’s go-to guy for offense.

Related: Timberwolves Get More (Familiar) Talent Back in KAT Trade

But it took one half of exhibition basketball for Donte DiVincenzo to display exactly why President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly demanded he be part of the return package for KAT. DiVincenzo started, in place of Anthony Edwards.

The brand new 27-year-old Wolf went 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from deep, finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, in his 10 first half minutes. He showed a level of playmaking ability that most Wolves fans will be surprised by, and even in the preseason, brought a tenacity and IQ on defense that you could see just watching on TV.

The Minnesota Timberwolves desperately needed competent guard depth during the offseason. Drafting Rob Dillingham was a good start and sets the franchise up in the future.

To be a legitimate title contender, though, the Wolves needed a really good guard off the bench who can play lockdown defense, handle the ball and score in multiple ways. I’m not sure Tim Connelly could have found a better player to insert into that role than DiVincenzo.

Lesson 2: Josh Minott might be taking the next step for Minnesota Timberwolves

There were a few Minnesota Timberwolves players who stuck out on Friday night, in a way that others didn’t. Luka Garza was his normal productive self (7/13, 20 PTS, 9 REB, 1 STL, 1 AST), but he did not look like the dominant force we often see when he goes up against 3rd tier NBA talent.

Part of that was due to the talent on display all around him, including out on the perimeter, with Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr (more on them momentarily). But also, right next to him. 6’8″ 2022 2nd round pick Josh Minott, out of Memphis, was in his bag last night.

Related: Knicks Finally Made a Trade Offer for KAT that Timberwolves Could Not Refuse

He was hitting from deep, driving to the hole, elevating to the rim from multiple different angles and blocking shots from the inside and outside on defense. He finished 9-of-11 for 22 points, which led the team. His only two misses were three-pointers… but he made four others, finishing 4-of-6 from downtown. He also added 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Every time the Lakers charged back, Minott would drive through the lane with a monstrous dunk or drop a 3-pointer to halt all of LA’s momentum. We knew Minott’s development was going well, but he showed a level to his game on Friday night that most Minnesota Timberwolves fans didn’t know existed.

Lesson 3: Rob Dillingham is going to be a stud and should contribute immediately

I would imagine their playing time will fluctuate, depending on how they are playing at certain points throughout the grueling NBA season. But there is no doubt that 2024 No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham and No. 27 pick, Terrence Shannon Jr are good enough to help the Wolves now.

  • Rob Dillingham vs Lakers: 25 Min | 9/20 FG | 3/6 3PT | 21 PTS | 4 AST | 1 REB | +10 +/-

No doubt, Rob Dillingham is streaky, and he will have some growing pains to work though. He’s noticeably shorter than everyone else on the floor and he isn’t an elite defender, by any means. But this dude’s playmaking ability is next level and something that I am not sure we have seen on the Minnesota Timberwolves since Stephon Marbury.

Related: Why Did the Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Karl-Anthony Towns?

Seriously, the Kentucky product is so quick-twitch, he’s usually gone before the defender can even react. That gives him an innate ability to get wherever he wants to go on the basketball floor, pretty much whenever he wants to get there.

]]> Sat, 05 Oct 2024 09:48:26 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Games Minnesota Timberwolves