It’s not unusual for teams to reshuffle their two-way players after the preseason, and the Minnesota Timberwolves could do just that. Sophomore guard Tristen Newton is currently on a two-way contract and his preseason has been far from impressive.
In five games, Newton averaged 13.4 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 turnovers on 38.8/33.3/75 shooting splits. His poor play, combined with Johnny Juzang’s performance in preseason, makes Newton’s place uncertain.
Tristen Newton could be cut to make room for Johnny Juzang
Juzang averaged 13.8 on 48.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The UCLA product has a non-guaranteed roster spot, but his knockdown shooting makes him worthy of a roster spot to some extent. The tricky part is that Minnesota is hovering around the second platform, and Juzang likely won’t crack the rotation despite his shooting talent. As a result, the Wolves could look to convert him to a two-way contract and part with Newton in the process.
When comparing the two players, Juzang’s shooting ability gives him a clear cost-effective ability, which is a huge advantage. What exactly is Newton’s affordable NBA skill, defense perhaps? Additionally, Juzang averaged 19.8 minutes per game with the Utah Jazz last year, proving he can be a rotation-level player. Despite being in his fourth season while Newton is in his second year, both players are 24, so it’s not like Newton has more upside either.
Newton’s disappointing preseason comes with a sub-40 percent mark in the G League last season. The UConn product is a solid perimeter defender, but there isn’t much evidence he can contribute at the NBA level.
Minnesota could also waive Enrique Freeman, who also had a quiet preseason, if they indeed convert Juzang to a two-way deal. However, Freeman was signed this summer, and with Bones Hyland in the mix, Newton’s path to filling a role is even narrower.
Even if the Wolves decide to keep Juzang on a standard contract (or move on from him entirely, which isn’t likely), Newton could still be waived. There are some intriguing options on the open market, including Jared Rhoden, Jared Butler, Ulrich Chomche and Chris Livingston.
Ultimately, there’s no guarantee the Wolves will part ways with Newton. However, his preseason did little to inspire confidence about his chances of staying in Minnesota, mainly due to Juzang’s stellar play and the number of options on the market.
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