The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to terms with first-round pick Zach LaVine: http://t.co/ZPhGoBZS03 pic.twitter.com/2jdycrLwoc
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 8, 2014
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Tuesday they have signed 2014 first-round pick Zach LaVine.
LaVine is a 6-foot-5 guard from UCLA. The team selected him with the 13th overall selection in this year’s draft.
Terms of the deal were not released, but according to the Star Tribune, the NBA’s rookie salary scale suggests that LaVine signed a three-year deal worth around $5.3 million, with about $1.7 million coming in the first year.
On #Twolves signing Zach LaVine, Boston signed 2013 No. 13 pick, Kelly Olynyk, for $1.9 million last season, going to $3 million in 16-17.
— Andy Greder (@twolvesnow) July 8, 2014
The Associated Press reports Timberwolves president and coach Flip Saunders called LaVine “exceptional” following the team’s Monday workout. Saunders said he has no doubts that LaVine will be able to play both guard positions.
His athleticism jumped out to those who attended the Wolves first summer league workout.
First impressions of Zach LaVine at summer b-ball tonite…. explosive, remarkably composed, good court vision, and serious hops #OnBoard
— Eric Perkins (@PerkatPlay) July 8, 2014
LaVine appeared in all 37 games, as a freshman at UCLA last season. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He finished with 48 three-pointers and made 37.5 percent of his shots from behind the arc.
The team says LaVine will make his Wolves debut at the Samsung NBA Summer League 2014, in Las Vegas from July 11-21. Minnesota’s first game is against Dallas on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Fans will have a chance to see LaVine in action in Minnesota first. The team will hold an open scrimmage at Target Center, Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The event is open to the general public.
