Timberwolves Call Up Newly Acquired Guard from Iowa Along with Fellow 2024 Draft Pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves are off today, after blowing a late lead on Saturday night vs the Memphis Grizzlies. It would have been their third-straight victory but the meltdown prevented that from happening.

Minnesota Timberwolves call up Terrence Shannon Jr and Tristen Newton

But while the team may be inactive on the court Sunday, the front office was busy pulling roster strings behind the scenes. Those strings included the call up of two 2024 draft picks, Terrence Shannon Jr (No. 27 overall) and Tristen Newton (No 49. Overall).

NEWS: @Timberwolves recall guard Terrence Shannon Jr. from G League affiliate @iawolves.

Minnesota also transfers guard Tristen Newton from Iowa.

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) January 12, 2025

Of course, Shannon Jr was drafted by the Wolves. Newton, on the other hand, was a 2nd round pick by the Indiana Pacers. He played five games for the team that drafted him, before they placed him on waivers January 1. Minnesota claimed him on January 3.

Newton hasn’t played in an NBA game since December 4, Shannon Jr hasn’t gotten in for the Timberwolves since December 23, when he got two minutes vs the Atlanta Hawks. Terrence Shannon Jr has played only four G-League games with the Iowa Wolves this season and the latest two came late this week on Thursday and Saturday.

Shannon Jr tearing it up for Iowa Wolves

The results were much like what you would expect out of someone who still hopes to be a legit wing in the NBA. The 24-year-old Shannon Jr went for 47 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals on Thursday, before going off for another 33 points, 5 rebounds on Saturday.

Terrence Shannon Jr. was RED-HOT in the first-half! 🔥

The @Timberwolves first-round draftee posted 24 points on assignment with the @iawolves on ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/Kn88GRgnmY

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 10, 2025

He also turned the ball over 7 times in the latter matchup, but that didn’t stop the Minnesota Timberwolves from rewarding their first round pick with a call up for Monday’s NBA contest vs the Washington Wizards. As mentioned, though, Terrence wasn’t the only rookie to get a call up to the big leagues today. They also transferred the contract of Tristen Newton.

Related: The Minnesota Timberwolves Need to Make Another Blockbuster Trade

The 23-year-old UConn alum has spent most of his rookie year in the G-League. He spent November through December with the Indiana Mad Ants, before playing his last three games with the Iowa Wolves. It’s been a slow start. Newton is averaging just 1.3 points on .361 shooting, in his three appearances.