The Minnesota Timberwolves are absolutely loaded with young talent. But the problem with young talent is that it’s just that: young. And inexperienced. Ricky Rubio is practically an elder statesman on that team, for heaven’s sake. But the Wolves will benefit tremendously from having a veteran presence and a (highly) vocal leader like Kevin Garnett in the locker room to instill in them the values of hard work and professionalism.
And now it appears they’ll add another veteran to help lead quietly and by example. According to John Krawczynski of the Associated Press, Professor Andre Miller has agreed to a one-year deal with the Wolves for the veteran’s minimum.
Agent Andy Miller tells The Associated Press that Andre Miller has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) July 29, 2015
Miller will help mentor both Rubio and the point guard they selected in the first round of last month’s draft, Duke’s Tyus Jones. It’s a role that he’s familiar with from his recent stints in Washington and Denver.
Through his agent – the nearly-identically named Andy Miller – the 39-year-old said he’s looking forward to the chance to tutor young talent like Karl-Anthony Towns and the Bounce Brothers, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine.
“He’s very excited about the opportunity,” Andy Miller said. “He was sold on the direction of the team and the veteran leadership he could provide to a promising young roster. He felt it was a good fit for him.”
“He likes to throw the ball up at the rim and they have a lot of guys who can go get it,” Andy Miller said. “It will be an easy transition for him to a very athletic team.”
The T-Wolves will be Miller’s seventh team over the course of his 17-year career in the NBA.
(via John Krawczynski)