The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to solidify their suddenly potent roster. The T-wolves are set to sign center/ forward Lou Amundson to a one-year contract. Amundson contributed his averages of 3.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 60 games last year with the Indiana Pacers. Though he didn’t start a game last season, Amundson’s athleticism has kept him in play as a useful commodity for a few years now.
Amundson commanded the most minutes of his career thus far (15 minutes per game) in 46 games with the Golden State Warriors back in 2010-2011 season. The preceding campaign was arguably Amundson’s best. Staying within that range of minutes (14.8 mpg for 2011-2012), he went on to play 79 games, averaging 4.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1 bpg on a Suns team that surprised many, making it to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Amundson’s value to Minnesota is limited by a surprisingly considerable front court. Standing at 6’9″, 230 lbs, Amundson falls into the prototypical category of the NBA forward/ center. With a cast of Kevin Love, Nikola Pekovic, and the newly signed Andrei Kirilenko and Greg Stiemsma, Amundson looks to be fighting early for minutes. With Kirilenko presumably playing more on the small-forward spot, one could probably give Amundson a fighting chance at 10-15 minutes per game.
Considering Kevin Love’s defensive woes, it isn’t hard to imagine that coach Adelman will defer to center-forward packages of Amundson/ Kirilenko (opting to go small) or Pekovic/ Amundson.
What To Do with Derrick Williams?
Also of note are the prospects of Minnesota’s 2nd overall pick from last year’s draft, Derrick Williams, and Dante Cunningham. Brimming with talent, Williams hasn’t quite panned out yet for the Wolves. Though Minnesota remains patient with Williams, I imagine it wont take much of a downturn for his playing time to further recede. The T-wolves have gone after players with specific talents, leaving Williams in a sort of position limbo.
It would serve Williams to standout at a specific category on the floor. With little more than 20 minutes per game last year, Williams took a chunk of his shots (2 out of his 7.5 shots per game) from three. 2 doesn’t seem like a whole lot. But, considering that all Williams has to show for it is a 26.8% line, that 2 is a chunk.
Decisions, Decisions.
With the addition of Amundson, the Timberwolves gain more depth. With a low-risk one-year contract, this is a good move on the part of Minnesota. But, it seems that Adelman now has more decisions to make along with more packages to work with. With an array of potential at every position, regardless of combinations, the T-wolves look set to make considerable progress in the 2012-2013 season.
Mohamed Abdihakim is a journalism student at Florida Atlantic University. He is a Phoenix Suns fan, who is not prepared for the possibility of Nash winning a title in a Lakers jersey. Mohamed is also a contributor at “Les Snobs”. Interests include International basketball, Mad Men, and blues music. Twitter handle: @Abdi_hakim
