The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the most exciting collections of young players on an NBA roster. Every Thursday, FOX Sports North tracks the progress of those on the Timberwolves who are in their first or second season in the league.
This is the 21st and final edition of the 2015-16 Timberpups Tracker.
PER -- Player Efficiency Rating: A measure of per-minute production standardized such that the league average is 15.
TS% -- True Shooting Percentage: A measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.
USG% -- Usage Percentage: An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor.
ORtg -- Offensive Rating: An estimate of points produced per 100 possessions.
DRtg -- Defensive Rating: An estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions.
VORP -- Value over Replacement Player: A box score estimate of the points per 100 TEAM possessions that a player contributed above a replacement-level (-2.0) player, translated to an average team and prorated to an 82-game season.
ANDREW WIGGINS (age 21, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 20.7 points (18.7), 3.6 rebounds (2.7), 2.0 assists (1.3), 1.0 steals (0.3), 0.6 blocks (0.7), 35.1 minutes (30.7), 45.9 FG% (46.5), .301 3PT% (30.0)
Advanced stats, season: 16.5 PER, 54.3 TS%, 27.2 USG%, 106 ORtg, 113 DRtg, -0.1 VORP
Summary: Wiggins took a step forward in almost every statistical category this season, leading the Wolves in scoring while improving his player efficiency rating and true shooting percentage. He was arguably the team's most consistent player, scoring in double digits in almost every single game despite often attracting the most attention from opponents. Expect his numbers to continue to improve with his development as well as the development of his teammates.
ZACH LAVINE (age 21, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 14.0 points (16.7), 2.8 rebounds (2.3), 3.1 assists (3.0), 0.8 steals (1.0), 0.2 blocks (1.0), 28.0 minutes (28.3), 45.2 FG% (48.6), 38.9 3PT% (35.0)
Advanced stats, season: 14.3 PER, 54.8 TS%, 23.5 USG%, 104 ORtg, 112 DRtg, 0.4 VORP
Summary: LaVine also took a step forward in almost every aspect this season, winning a second dunk title while becoming a reliable outside scoring threat. He thrived as a shooting guard alongside point guard Ricky Rubio, Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns, seeing his minutes and points per game improve in the second half of the season. It certainly appears LaVine's long-term future with the Wolves will be at shooting guard.
ADREIAN PAYNE (age 25, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 2.5 points (4.5), 2.2 rebounds (2.5), 0.6 assists (0.5), 0.3 steals (1.5), 0.2 blocks (0.0), 9.3 minutes (8.0), 36.3 FG% (37.5), 28.1 3PT% (00.0)
Advanced stats, season: 5.6 PER, 41.9 TS%, 17.8 USG%, 81 ORtg, 108 DRtg, -0.5 VORP
Summary: Payne was largely a nonfactor with the Wolves this season, playing more than 20 minutes in a game just three times and scoring in double digits just once. He doesn't appear to be in their long-term plans, with Towns and Dieng taking most of the frontcourt minutes, and because he is older than most prospects, he may not be given as much time to develop.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 20, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 18.3 points (22.3), 10.4 rebounds (9.3), 2.0 assists (2.0), 0.7 steals (0.7), 1.7 blocks (2.7), 32.0 minutes (32.3), 54.3 FG% (59.6), 34.1 3PT% (25.0)
Advanced stats, season: 22.5 PER, 59.0 TS%, 24.8 USG%, 112 ORtg, 106 DRtg, 3.1 VORP
Summary: Towns surpassed just about everyone's expectations (except perhaps his own) during his fabulous rookie season. He became the first rookie in NBA history to average a double-double while shooting better than 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line, according to statmuse.com. He finished the season stronger than he started, posting memorable games against Portland and Golden State. The Wolves certainly found a winner in the No. 1 overall pick, and Towns appears to be the foundational piece around which the team will build.
NEMANJA BJELICA (age 27, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 5.1 points (10.7), 3.5 rebounds (0.7), 1.4 assists (3.0), 0.4 steals (1.3), 0.4 blocks (0.7), 17.9 minutes (26), 46.8 FG% (61.1), 38.4 3PT% (55.6)
Advanced stats, season: 11.2 PER, 59.4 TS%, 12.8 USG%, 114 ORtg, 110 DRtg, 0.6 VORP
Summary: Bjelica has been without question Minnesota's most pleasant surprise of the final 11 games, scoring in double digits in seven of them while playing aggressive and efficient basketball. He showed that he can provide scoring punch off the bench while not giving up too much defensively. He could be an important frontcourt player off the bench going forward.
TYUS JONES (age 19, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 4.2 points (4.7), 1.3 rebounds (1.3), 2.9 assists (6.3), 0.8 steals (1.3), 0.1 blocks (0.0), 15.5 minutes (22.3), 35.9 FG% (41.7), 30.2 3PT% (33.3)
Advanced stats, season: 11.2 PER, 45.0 TS%, 16.1 USG%, 98 ORtg, 111 DRtg, -0.3 VORP
Summary: How do you handle a local favorite who perhaps doesn’t yet have the physical tools to be a consistent NBA player? Jones was sent to the D-League for a time but returned and had several nice flashes (he averaged 17.3 minutes over the last 26 games) but never looked comfortable or able to create his own shot, something required of point guards nowadays. Perhaps Jones is more of a long-term project for the Wolves, a player with whom they will take a long view in his development. He certainly appears to have the drive and basketball IQ to compete in the NBA. It’s more of a matter if he can physically become strong and quick enough to compete.
