SEPTEMBER 26: Minnesota has officially signed Keels, according to RealGM’s transaction log.
SEPTEMBER 25: The Timberwolves plan to sign free agent guard Trevor Keels to a training camp contract, sources tell Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The 42nd pick of the 2022 draft after one college season at Duke, Keels spent his rookie season on a two-way contract with the Knicks, who gave him a qualifying offer in June to make him a restricted free agent. Keels accepted his QO this summer to return to New York on a two-way deal, but his stint only lasted a week, as he was waived to make room for Dylan Windler.
Keels, 20, only appeared in three games for the Knicks in 2022/23 for a total of eight minutes. He was a starter for their G League affiliate in Westchester, however, averaging 13.9 points, 3.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 25 regular season games (30.2 minutes). He posted a shooting line of .425/.355/.710.
While the terms of the contract were not disclosed, Keels’ agreement with Minnesota likely features an Exhibit 10 clause, which would entitle him to a bonus worth up to $75K if he spends at least 60 days with the team’s G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. However, his NBAGL rights are currently held by the Knicks, so Iowa will have to make a trade with the Westchester Knicks — New York’s affiliate — to acquire his returning player rights.
Exhibit 10 contracts can also be converted into two-way deals, and the Timberwolves currently have one two-way opening, though they also have a two-way qualifying offer out to RFA Matt Ryan.
Once Keels is officially under contract, the Timberwolves will have 19 players on their roster, as our tracker shows.