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3 Free agents the Minnesota Timberwolves should sign

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had a relatively quiet free agency, but that was to be expected when Gersson Rosas proclaimed the team would do the bulk of their work through trades. That was evident when they traded Ricky Rubio to the Cleveland Cavaliers, for Taurean Prince, a second-round pick and cash.

That deal created almost $5 million in cap space, but will they use that extra money in free agency or towards a bigger trade? That’s still to be determined, but the Wolves have yet to use their mid-level exception (MLE) this offseason. Here are three players they should sign:


No. 1: Paul Millsap, PF

The Wolves have had an interest in Paul Millsap dating back to 2017. That offseason he signed with the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota ended up going with Taj Gibson – who was a godsend.

Millsap is back on the market and it’s likely he won’t be returning to the Mile High City. Denver’s signed Jeff Green and re-signed JaMychal Green, Austin Rivers and Will Barton. They’ll now attempt to lock up Michael Porter Jr. and will be pretty tight against the luxury tax.

Because of that, Minnesota can offer Millsap the MLE and find a match made in heaven next to Karl-Anthony Towns. The issue is he’s 36 years old and will want to sign with a contender. The Wolves have talented players and look to be on the rise, but even with that, it’s unlikely they’ll contend for a championship this season.

Millsap would provide great defense and veteran leadership – an area of need the team wants to address. This season, he averaged 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 blocks. He shot 34.3 percent from 3 on 2.6 attempts and is capable of spacing the floor

Millsap was one of the leading causes in the Nuggets’ success and he would do the same for Minnesota’s young nucleus too.


No. 2: Avery Bradley, SG

After spending seven seasons with the Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley has been a bit of a journeyman for the last several years. Last season he played for the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets. In 27 games between the two teams, he averaged 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He also shot 37.4 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from 3.

Those aren’t good shooting numbers and nothing about his stat line screams, “Minnesota should sign this guy.” Throughout his career, Bradley has been a pretty consistent knockdown shooter and defender. Since 2010, he’s averaged 36.3 percent from distance and has earned All-Defensive team twice.

Much like Millsap, it’s likely he’d be more interested in signing with a contending team. Would the MLE be too much for Bradley? Probably so, but it’s hard to see him choosing Minnesota over the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, or any of those teams.

Minnesota needs a player who can space the floor and more importantly… play defense. He’s only 30 years old and would be a nice addition off the bench.


No. 3: James Ennis III

James Ennis III has played for seven teams throughout his seven-year career. Since being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Orlando Magic in 2019-20, Ennis III has played well for them. The Magic aren’t a good team, which means his stats can potentially look inflated at times.

Last season he averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. At 6-foot-6 and 215 lbs., Ennis III isn’t the best defender, but what he can provide is 3-point shooting.

In seven years, his career average is 36.0 percent from beyond the arc. This season on 2.5 attempts, he was able to increase that number to 43.3 percent.

Something to be a little wary of is his streaky shooting seasons. He’s been pretty up-and-down over the last seven years.

Ennis III would likely not command the MLE, which means Minnesota could potentially sign him on a one-year deal worth $5 million.

All three of these guys are on the decline of their careers, but the Wolves can sign each of these players with the MLE or with the $5 million they saved. If they have the chance to pick them up for cheaper, then that’s a win. Millsap, Bradley and Ennis III each provide something the team desperately needs to fix this offseason.