The Minnesota Timberwolves have set the NBA landscape ablaze by trading for Lamelo Ball, sending out Naz Reid and a 2033 first rounder, along a whole lot of inconsequential slop. While that is the most impactful move this offseason will see for the Wolves, this one certainly has a chance to play a part in what is shaping up to be a fascinating year.
Timberwolves defensive specialist Jaylen Clark has resigned with the Wolves for a three year deal worth 10 million dollars, an extension slightly over
the minimum.
It’s moves like these that end up swinging championships. I know that sounds insane but think back to the past few title teams. All of them were huge beneficiaries of bench players outperforming their deals. From Payton Pritchard to Bruce Brown to Jose Alvarado, the list of names is extensive and unending.
Retaining Clark on a 3 million dollar a year deal means they can keep a player that knows the team structure and lockerroom without needing to spend carelessly or sacrifice talent level.
Still, there is functionally no downside to this deal. The Wolves functionally only have their bi-annual exception and some veteran’s minimum deals to hand out this offseason. Outside of the two remaining free agents whose bird rights are still owned by the Wolves, that’s all Minnesota has to bolster the team.
Jaylen has the opportunity to become exactly that. Following the aforementioned Ball trade, this team is searching for two to three things: perimeter defense, cutting, and three point shooting.
Clark is already likely the best cutter on the team, with an argument to be in consideration for the first category as well. 2023’s 53rd overall pick was the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at UCLA and has not slowed down since red-shirting his rookie year with a torn Achilles.
It’s only within that third category that Clark falls short. He shot 43% his rookie year, but only took 51 total. Last year, on double the volume, Jaylen made a paltry 33/101. At the very least though, it’s a flaw that he is fully aware of.
As for Clark, he could truly be the missing piece in that starting lineup. I know that sounds insane for a late second round pick that has played 108 career games averaging four points per game.
(Admittedly, a player like that — albeit one that went late first instead — was just the difference between the Boston Celtics getting Giannis Antetokounmpo)
Wolves Twitter has spent the summer trying to find a suitable perimeter stopper who could move Jaden McDaniels back to his natural weakside rim protector role. Some might say that it was a more vital search than an organizing point guard.
While pursuits of Jalen Suggs and Davion Mitchell are surely over, the answer already being on the roster would be huge for a now young but asset poor Wolves team.
To this point, the only two things keeping Clark from playing have been coach Chris Finch’s preference for vets and his inability to shoot. If he can hit even league average from deep, his skills as a harasser of ball handlers and as a screen dodger will pop.
Maybe that understates the offensive struggles. Clark shot 43/32/66 splits from all over the floor as a supposed three and D wing. That’s simply not going to be good enough.
The saying goes that a high tide raises all ships and maybe Lamelo Ball will enable Clark in the way he has… well… everyone he’s played with. But, it’s not all going to come from that.
In many ways, this contract is reminiscent of the deal that GM Tim Connelly handed to Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the 2023 season. Following a trade from the Utah Jazz, the Wolves gave NAW a two year, nine million dollar extension. Alexander-Walker became one of the most bargain contracts in the league, leading to a payday with the Atlanta Hawks.
That deal was a no lose risk for the Wolves that paid off dividends. If Clark follows suit, he would instantly go from a situational defensive specialist like the Matisse Thybulles and Jalen Wilsons of the world to a real deal starting option (think Gabby Williams for the Golden State Valkyries).
To become the player he needs to be for the Wolves to use him, Clark either needs to become an all world defender or a league average shooter.
Betting on either of those seems realistic, but even if neither of those things come to pass, there’s still a place for a player like this on the team.
The potential winnings on this deal are massive, and it is fully insulated from any real damages.
What a move for the Wolves!
