Has Josh Minott Forced His Way into the Minnesota Timberwolves Rotation?

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Josh Minott, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

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

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“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.”

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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.

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