The Minnesota Timberwolves are counting on internal growth to stay among the NBAâs elite. And second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. is quietly becoming one of their biggest X-factors.
With Nickeil Alexander-Walker departing in a sign-and-trade to the Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota suddenly has a rotation opening behind Anthony Edwards. Shannon looks ready to seize it. His mix of size, athleticism, and energy fits the Timberwolvesâ defensive identity perfectly. After an encouraging postseason cameo, heâs eager to take the next step.
âI feel like Iâm better all around,â Shannon said Monday. âJust getting used to the speed of the NBA your first year â knowing guysâ tendencies, knowing the defense, what we want, what we will accept. I feel like I got better, a lot, all around.â
That improvement could prove critical for a Minnesota team coming off back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances. With Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert forming the core of a contender, the Wolves donât need Shannon to be a star. They just need him to be steady, physical, and reliable.
Playoff Flashes That Foreshadowed the Future
Long before Alexander-Walkerâs departure opened a door, Shannon gave Minnesota reasons to believe.
In last yearâs Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the then-rookie guard provided a jolt of energy when the Wolves needed it most. After playing sparingly in the first two rounds, Shannon became a defensive option against the Thunderâs long wings.
He scored in double figures twice, including a playoff career-high 15 points in 13 minutes during a Game 4 blowout win. His 6-foot-6 frame and aggressive mindset gave Minnesota a useful counter to the Thunderâs size and athleticism. Those flashes revealed a player who could thrive with more opportunity.
As the Wolves regrouped this summer, it became clear that Shannon had been building toward a bigger role long before Alexander-Walker left.
Building Toward Replacing Alexander-Walker
This offseason, Shannon doubled down on his defensive development. He spent countless hours battling Anthony Edwards in one-on-one sessions â a trial by fire that tested both conditioning and confidence.
âWhen youâre playing one-on-one with Ant a lot, it gets you ready for pretty much anybody,â Shannon said. âHeâs a really good scorer. Knows how to move with the ball, without the ball. That was a big focus for me this summer.â
Because of that work, Shannon now looks ready to assume the role Alexander-Walker filled so well â a two-way spark who defends, runs the floor, and hits open threes. His offensive mindset is simple but effective.
âIf Iâm open, Iâm going to shoot it in the corner,â Shannon said with a grin.
During the regular season, Shannon also proved he can produce when given minutes. In all five games where he played 20 or more minutes, he scored in double figures. That included a 25-point, 5-rebound game against the Los Angeles Lakers, where he shot 9-of-15 from the field and finished +11 in plus-minus.
A Role Years in the Making
The Wolves donât need Shannon to replace Alexander-Walker overnight. However, the foundation for his growth is already set. His playoff flashes showed potential, and his offseason focus built trust within the organization.
Now, as Minnesota looks to return to the Western Conference Finals, Shannon appears ready for his moment. His combination of size, defense, and fearless play could make him the next homegrown contributor to rise in Chris Finchâs system.
When opportunity meets preparation, breakout seasons happen. For Terrence Shannon Jr., that moment may have already begun.
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