Could Wendell Moore Jr. be a solution to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ problems?
Wendell Moore Jr. was thrust into a starting role Wednesday night and performed at a high level. Could he be the solution to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ problems?
The Timberwolves have been searching for wing defenders since trading Patrick Beverley and Jarred Vanderbilt. Jaden McDaniels has been their best point-of-attack defender, but he’s recently been sidelined with an illness.
In the three games McDaniels has missed, the Timberwolves have given up 137, 142 and 101 points. The clear outlier here is the Memphis Grizzlies game. There are a few reasons for that: 1. No two-big lineup 2. Moore jr. played exceptional on-ball defense.
There are some other factors like Anthony Edwards playing elite defense, but Moore Jr. was given a tall task Wednesday night. 10 minutes before the game, the first-round rookie not only found out he was playing but was starting and having to guard Ja Morant.
Morant had four turnovers in the first quarter, and a big reason for that was Moore Jr.’s defense.
Grizzlies’ efficiency when guarded by Moore Jr.:
- 2-pointers: 1/5, 20.0%
- Less than 6 ft: 1/3, 33.3%
- Less than 10 ft: 1/4, 25.0%
- Greater than 15 ft: 0/1, 0.0%
Before the Grizzlies game, the former Duke Blue Devil has logged nine total minutes in three games. He played 20 minutes against Memphis and would have played more had Jaylen Nowell not caught fire.
Moore Jr. started Wednesday night because of his defensive ability. He also has a high basketball IQ, can shoot the ball and play-make off the dribble. Minnesota has been searching for all three of those things.
Moore Jr. has had success down in Iowa. In five games, he’s averaging 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 51.6 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from 3.
He was a three-year player out of college and was coached under the tutelage of Mike Krzyzewski. There’s a reason former Duke players have success at the NBA level and being coached by a Hall of Famer is a big reason.
In his final season, Moore Jr. averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and shot 50.0 from the field and 41.3 from 3.
He won’t take over a game on offense, but what he does is make the simple play.
If he continues to knock down open shots, play good on-ball defense, move without the ball and make the right pass, then Chris Finch has no choice but to play him.
It was only one game, so it’s a little premature to say if he’s the answer to the Timberwolves’ problems. However, the front office may not have to make a desperate trade at the deadline; the solution might just be sitting on the bench.
