Two names linked to the Timberwolves as possible free agent signees this summer are Bruce Brown and Donte DiVincenzo, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports.
The only realistic way Minnesota can attempt to sign either player is by releasing veteran forward Taurean Prince, whose $7.5 million salary in 2023-24 becomes fully guaranteed on June 28.
“There have already been several names linked to the Wolves at that salary slot, and they’re all playmaking, bigger combo guards such as Bruce Brown and Donte DiVincenzo,” Fischer writes.
Brown is a two-way guard who averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 28.5 minutes per game with Denver last season. He was a critical piece to Denver’s championship run and he recently told the Denver Post that he’d like to return to the Nuggets.
The problem with returning to Denver is that the most they can pay Brown is $7.8 million. The mid-level exception he could get as a free agent elsewhere would pay him about $12.4 million, which is a nice raise from the two-year, $13.2 million deal he sign with Denver last summer.
Believe it when you hear Brown will have plenty of suitors. In Minnesota, Brown could be a reliable backup guard behind point guard Mike Conley and shooting guard Anthony Edwards.
As for DiVincenzo, Fischer says he’s been closely linked to the New York Knicks.
