The Timberwolves announced Tuesday night that they have signed James Nunnally, a 3-and-D specialist who has spent the past few seasons starring in the EuroLeague.
The Wolves have been on a mission to find players who shoot the 3 and play big-time defense on the wing, having added depth in that area by drafting Josh Okogie and Kieta Bates-Diop with hopes that both can provide longterm flexibility with their 3-and-D skills.
“I feel like I’m the top of the top when it comes to that,” Nunnally told Yahoo Sports in July when asked about being that type of player.
Nunnally, a 6-foot-7, 28-year-old swingman, played in Turkey with Fenerbahce the last two seasons, helping them to two straight EuroLeague Final Four appearances and a championship in 2017.
While the 3-point line is about a foot and a half shorter in the EuroLeague than it is in the NBA, Nunnally shot 55.4 percent from deep last season. In fact, he made more than half of his 400 3-point attempts over the last two seasons.
As Yahoo Sports’ Ben Rohrbach put it: “there’s a statistical case to be made he’s the world’s most accurate professional shooter right now, and the 3-obsessed NBA is taking notice.”
Like the James Nunnally signing for Wolves a lot. Good size at the wing, shot the ball great in EUR. Not a great creator but strong off the ball. One of the best int'l spot-up guys. Catch-and-shoot 3FG numbers:
16-17:
Guarded: 51.3%
Open: 62.9%17-18:
Guarded: 40.6%
Open: 61.4%— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) August 7, 2018
Rohrbach compared Nunnally’s opportunity to the one Joe Ingles got with the Utah Jazz a few years ago, noting how Ingles was 27 years old before the Jazz gave him a chance, a chance with which he’s excelled.
The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski reports that the Wolves gave Nunnally a two-year contract, meaning he’ll likely see playing time as a backup wing to Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins.
