Chatter is connecting the Timberwolves to former 13th overall pick Kendall Marshall, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (Twitter link). It’s unclear whether the team or Marshall’s camp initiated the talk, but Minnesota is nonetheless keeping an eye on the Alex Saratsis client, Wolfson adds.
Marshall tore his right ACL in January while playing for the Bucks, who had taken the unusual step of guaranteeing his non-guaranteed salary before the season, more than two months before they had to. Milwaukee sent him to the Suns via trade after the injury, and Phoenix released him, with his contract set to expire before he would be healthy enough to return to the court. It was a hard-luck year for Marshall, who blossomed in a 54-game stint with the Lakers in 2013/14, when he averaged 8.8 assists per game. The Lakers waived him last summer to make room for their amnesty claim of Carlos Boozer, allowing the Bucks to scoop him up.
Wolves coach/executive Flip Saunders recently signaled a willingness to sign a veteran backup point guard. Marshall would bring the combination of three years of experience and youth, as the 2012 lottery pick turns only 24 next month. Minnesota can use the $2.139MM biannual exception or the nearly $1.514MM left on its mid-level exception to offer Marshall more than the minimum, if necessary.
Do you think Marshall will fulfill his potential, or was his season with the Lakers an outlier? Leave a comment to let us know.
His season with the Lakers was a small outlier IMO. He will be a good passer, but not 8.8 assists good. If he gets in MIN, he will probably play 14 minutes a game, averaging 4 points and 3.5 assists per game.
That sounds about right. He was in D’Antoni’s system with the Lakers, which casts point guards in a particularly favorable light.
Noooooo!! Please god no!!!!
Do you think he’s really that bad? Or are you just a Duke fan? ;)
I was actually hoping the Knicks would sign him, they need more guards. Marshall’s a decent third, and even second option, at point guard. He’d be a good backup to Rubio, or he could be a third option after Brown. It would be a good signing especially since their aren’t many quality guard available right now.
Lorenzo Brown deserves the roster spot, Marshall compiled stats on a poor Lakers team.
I agree. Bring Lorenzo up. Tyus develop in the DLeague. Don’t need another vet PG. Rubio and Lorenzo are enough.
Rubio and L Brown + others weren’t enough last season. We need a good 3rd PG with Zach being a back up to those 3
He is a Tarheel. Of course he will be Great!
Yeah cause all we need is a 6th point gaurd
I don’t know enough about Kendall – but if he is healthy again, he is young and has experience. Brown does deserve a shot – and with his size has PG/SG options, with the addition of Bjelica and possibly Bennett having the ability to go PF/SF, Rudez could be cut, leaving us with LaVine at SG – the roster almost has to force that issue. Jones likely will benefit from some D-league experience (I’m not down on him – just think we might need to be patient). Worse case if we add Marshall – keep Brown and Jones and they all play well, we have great depth and a valuable resource for trade – should we discover depth problems at C/F. Reality reminds us that Ricky plays 35 minutes a game when healthy – but we have lost him for the greater part of two seasons. PEK and KG are both likely to be limited in minutes – Bennett/Payne/Towns/Dieng/Bjelica clearly all have the talent to perform well – Bennett/Bjelica perhaps F/SF while Towns/Payne/Dieng could play C/PF. Will be interesting to see how healthy PEK and KG are and if they can contribute meaningful minutes nigh after night, and who steps it up to claim the big minutes between the 5 young bigs. I would love to see Flip struggle to find time for 7 guys playing well – Wiggins and Shabazz playing well at SF demanding most of those minutes – LaVine fighting Martin for SG and what fun if Jones turned it on defensively, and needed and demanded some of Rubio’s 35 minutes.
He will be GREAT!!! HE always show and proves whatever team he is on….
Kendall “Butter” Marshall…He deserves it
Kendall just needs time on the floor. His game is similar to D’Angelo Russell.