The Timberwolves have built a habit of uncovering useful players in places other teams overlook, and Zyon Pullin is making his case to be the next one.
Minnesota has already turned names like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker into examples of that kind of find. Now, two games into NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Pullin is forcing his way into the conversation. The 25-year-old guard has been one of the standout players on the floor for the Wolves, and his production has been impossible to ignore.
Through summer league play, Pullin is averaging 24 points, 7.5 assists and 7 rebounds. In both of Minnesota’s games, he has looked like the most composed and effective player out there. That is a strong statement for a player who earned a two-way contract with the team late last season and appeared in just five NBA games.
Even with Minnesota’s guard room no longer carrying the same kind of opening, Pullin has shown enough to suggest he belongs. His play in Las Vegas has matched what he did in the G League last season, and the combination gives him a real chance to work his way toward a standard contract. At the very least, he looks like the kind of high-end two-way player who can step in and handle minutes when needed.
What stands out most is how naturally he runs an offense. Pullin plays like a true floor general, always scanning for teammates and handling the ball with real calm. He can score at all three levels, too, which makes him much more than just a distributor.
The Timberwolves even highlighted that side of his game on July 9, 2026, posting: “TUFF Z 😤 pic.twitter.com/5FoDfnU0OE”
At 6-foot-4, Pullin does not bring blazing top-end speed, but he does not need it. His craft, feel and basketball IQ help him get where he wants on the floor, and he can also space the floor from deep. Defensively, he competes hard and can make life uncomfortable for opposing ball-handlers at the point of attack.
He probably is not headed toward a starting job, and that is fine. Right now, he looks like a useful backup and a player who can give a team real minutes in the right spot. That fits with what he already showed in the G League, where he was one of the better players in the league last season.
For Minnesota, the appeal is obvious. Pullin profiles as a quality third guard, the kind of piece every roster can use even if the minutes are not guaranteed right away.
The Wolves’ guard rotation is crowded, so his path to immediate playing time is limited. Still, injuries happen, and if they do, Pullin looks ready to step in and hold his own.
There is also the broader roster question to keep in mind. If Bones Hyland prices himself out of the Timberwolves’ plans next year, having Pullin around would give the team some insurance.
That is why this summer matters so much. Pullin went undrafted, landed a two-way deal late last season and is now trying to turn that into something bigger. A rotational NBA role would be a major win, and he is giving himself a real shot to get there.
It may take more than one summer to fully get to that point, but he is making the right kind of impression. If Minnesota can keep him, Pullin has a chance to become the next hidden gem in the Wolves’ pipeline.
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