The Minnesota Timberwolves have an exceptionally talented young core, but to add to the mix, they have been attaining veterans to help guide the young guys.
First, it was Kevin Garnett, who was re-signed to a lucrative deal to remain in Minnesota. Then, it was the addition of Andre Miller. Now, the Wolves have agreed to sign Tayshaun Prince to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.
Prince, 35, joins a cluttered frontcourt in which he may not even see time on the floor. However, he will serve as the veteran voice, helping Miller and Garnett mentor the young, up-and-coming talent on the roster.
Prince will reunite with head coach Flip Saunders, as the two spent three seasons in Detroit together from 2005 to 2008. Unfortunately, Saunders is currently battling cancer which may force him to miss games.
Last season, the 13-year veteran split time between three teams – the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, and Detroit Pistons. He finished the year in a Pistons uniform, averaging 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per night, playing in 23 games and earning seven starts.
With Minnesota, he will likely become a third string small forward, playing behind last year’s Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and Shabazz Muhammad.
The Timberwolves have constructed a nice blend of talent on the roster now. They have a herd of young guys like Wiggins, Muhammad, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng, Adreian Payne, and Tyus Jones, to go along with a couple of young veterans such as Nikola Pekovic and Ricky Rubio, mixed with seasoned veterans like Miller, Garnett, Prince, and Kevin Martin.
Entering the playoffs is still a pipedream for the Wolves, but they are certainly headed the right direction and have built a competitive team for the upcoming season. If health permits, Minnesota should be much better than the 16-win team they were last year.