After waiving Enrique Freeman, the Minnesota Timberwolves suddenly have an open two-way roster spot, and the fit that jumps off the page is Drew Timme.
Minnesota’s two-way group currently includes Zyon Pullin and Rocco Zikarsky, and with the Wolves thin in the frontcourt, it seems likely they’ll use that final spot on a forward or center. Timme, whom the team waived on Saturday, could still return on a two-way contract if he clears waivers.
The appeal is pretty straightforward. Timme brings real offensive feel, the kind that stands out in a room built around depth and versatility.
He’s a classic post player with playmaking instincts, and while the Gonzaga product is not a strong defender, he can rebound. His game also gives Minnesota something different at the four or five.
That lines up neatly with what Chris Finch said the Wolves can use: size, passing, and connective tissue. Timme fits that description as well as anyone on the board, and the team’s familiarity with him only adds to the case for bringing him back.
Across 36 NBA games over two seasons, Timme has averaged 5.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He also closed preseason with a solid showing, putting up 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in the finale.
Realistically, the final two-way spot is unlikely to produce a major rotation piece. Finch doesn’t often lean on his two-way players, and that makes sense for a contender. But frontcourt insurance still matters, especially with Joan Beringer and Trey Lyles as the team’s only true bench bigs.
Jon Krawczynski reported that the Timberwolves are sorting through their options over the next few days, and Finch said on Sunday that "All those guys that had been vying for that two-way are still all in play."
Minnesota can look outside the organization, and there are other names in the mix. Trey Jemison could be viewed as a slight talent upgrade.
But Timme’s grasp of the system is a real advantage, and finding a two-way player with his skill level would be tough. He is listed as a four-star prospect on Two-Way Talents.com.
Zikarsky could also be seen as the emergency big, but he is still very raw. Timme, by contrast, already offers NBA experience and enough offensive craft to hold the fort if injuries force the issue. That doesn’t mean heavy minutes would be ideal, but as a pinch-hitter, he makes sense.
The Timberwolves waived him to keep their choices open. They do not have to leave it there. Timme remains the cleanest answer for what this final two-way slot is supposed to cover.
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