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 third edition of the 2015-16 Timberpups Tracker and, since we skipped last week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we've provided player stats from Nov. 19-Dec. 2 in parentheses.
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 20, second season)
Statistical season averages (last two weeks): 22.1 points (23.0), 3.7 rebounds (4.5), 1.9 assists (2.0), 0.7 blocks (0.83), 0.71 steals (0.83), 35.2 minutes (36.8) 35.2 FG% (45.1), 30.4 3PT% (25.0).
Advanced stats, season: 18.0 PER, 52.5 percent TS%, 29.2 percent USG%, 104 ORtg, 107 DRtg, 0.2 VORP.
Notable: Wiggins has continued to carry a heavy load for Minnesota recently. Since Nov. 23, he has played at least 36 minutes in every game. He has continued to play relatively efficiently, too. Perhaps his best all-around performance occurred in Tuesday's narrow loss to Orlando, as the 20-year-old shooting guard scored 27 points on 9-for-15 shooting, with four rebounds, two assists and one block.
ZACH LAVINE (age 20, second season)
Statistical season averages (last two weeks): 14.4 points (15.5), 3.8 rebounds (4.8), 3.9 assists (4.0), 0.1 blocks (0.33), 0.56 steals (0.17), 25.3 minutes (28.0), 44.1 FG% (42.3), 35.3 3PT% (27.6).
Advanced stats, season: 18.1 PER, 55.1 percent TS%, 26.9 percent USG%, 105 ORtg, 106 DRtg, 0.5 VORP.
Notable: LaVine has made noticeable strides in his second NBA campaign, and has begun whittling away at the careless miscues that plagued his early days as a pro. Case in point: Sunday's 107-99 loss against the Clippers, when the UCLA product had 18 points, seven assists, three rebounds and just one turnover. LaVine's shooting remains a bit streaky, but he's nevertheless making overall progress this season.
ADREIAN PAYNE (age 24, second season)
Statistical season averages (last two weeks): 4.2 points (4.2), 2.8 rebounds (2.8), 0.6 assists (0.6), 0.2 blocks (0.2), 0.3 steals (0.4), 11.6 minutes (12.6), 46.5 FG% (44.4), 55.6 3PT% (50.0).
Advanced stats, season: 8.9 PER, 54.8 percent TS%, 19.0 percent USG%, 91 ORtg, 102 DRtg, 0.0 VORP.
Notable: Payne has had some unexciting outings recently -- he had zero points on 0-for-4 shooting in Sunday's loss in L.A. But give the second-year pro this much: he seems to know his role and doesn't try to overextend himself. If the Wolves experience a frontcourt injury later this season, perhaps to the aging Kevin Garnett, we'll get a better feel for Payne's long-term value.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 19, first season)
Statistical season averages (last two weeks): 13.9 points (10.0), 9.2 rebounds (6.2), 0.8 assists (0.7), 2.2 blocks (1.67), 0.8 steals (1.3), 27.4 minutes (23.2), 50.7 FG% (51.9), 30.0 3PT% (50.0).
Advanced stats, season: 20.5 PER, 55.7 percent TS%, 23.4 percent USG%, 103 ORtg, 97 DRtg, 0.4 VORP.
Notable: Towns has sat in late-game situations in recent games, which has lessened his overall production. From Nov. 23-27, the Wolves' top overall draft pick scored in single digits in three straight games. He played between 19-22 minutes in those games. Perhaps the 7-footer's lessened work-load will help him avoid hitting the dreaded rookie wall later this season.
NEMANJA BJELICA (age 27, first season)
Statistical season averages (last two weeks): 7.1 points (6.5), 5.9 rebounds (5.0), 2.1 assists (1.5), 0.4 blocks (0.5), 0.5 steals (0.5), 26.0 minutes (23.0), 44.9 FG% (55.6), 38.0 3PT% (60.0).
Advanced stats, season: 11.8 PER, 57.9 percent TS%, 11.5 percent USG%, 116 ORtg, 103 DRtg, 0.5 VORP.
Notable: Bjelica didn't play from Nov. 20-27, due to nagging injuries. When he returned Sunday, his solid shooting stroke re-emerged as well, as the native of Yugoslavia went 4 for 4 for 10 points in 22 minutes against L.A. It'll be fascinating to see how the 27-year-old is used as the season rolls along. The Wolves could certainly use consistent 3-point shooting, and the former EuroLeague MVP seems like a top option in that area.
TYUS JONES (age 19, first season)
Statistical season averages (last two weeks): 0.5 points (NA), 0.5 rebounds (NA), 0.5 assists (NA), 0.0 blocks (NA), 0.5 steals (NA), 7.0 minutes (NA), 0.0 FG% (NA), 0.0 3PT% (NA).
Advanced stats, season: -6.7 PER, 8.5 percent TS%, 18.6 percent USG%, 30 ORtg, 102 DRtg, 0.0 VORP.
Notable: Not much to see here. Jones, the Apple Valley product, hasn't seen a minute of playing time since Nov. 12, when he played briefly in a 13-point loss to Golden State.
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