What’s Going On With the Iowa Wolves?

As Leonard Miller represents the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Rising Stars Challenge as part of the G League team, we review the rest of the Iowa Wolves squad.

Do you consider yourself a Minnesota Timberwolves sicko? If so, then you’re likely to be somewhat in tune with their G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. However, if you’re a little dusty and could use a refresher on Minnesota’s NBA G League affiliate, we won’t judge you. You may already know that Leonard Miller will be representing the Wolves at All-Star weekend for the Castrol Rising Stars game today, but what else do you know?

What better use of your time than to get a quick primer on Iowa during this All-Star break so that when Jesse Edwards checks in for his first NBA minutes in April, you’ll be able to impress your friends with a fun factoid.

“Did you know that Rudy Gobert’s stunt double is also from Europe? Yeah, he grew up in the Netherlands.”

You’re going to sound so cool.

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Season Summary

For those unfamiliar, the G League season kicks off off with the “Tip-Off Tournament” which is a series of 14 games beginning on November 8th, then ultimately leading into the “G League Winter Showcase” in mid-December to crown a champion.

The Iowa Wolves were red hot during the Tip-Off Tournament phase. They ripped off victories in 9 of their first 10 games by an average margin of 10.0 points. This helped them finish with a 11-3 record, tied for the best in the league and atop their division, putting them into a favorable spot in the Winter Showcase.

Unfortunately, the Wolves fell short in the final bracket. They dominated their first round matchup against the Stockton Kings by 25 points which put them into the semi-finals versus the Sioux Falls Skyforce, a team they defeated twice earlier in the season. The Wolves fell into a 14-point first half hole, but still managed to pull themselves with two points late in the third quarter. However, Sioux Fall was able to punch back and build a comfortable lead by at least three possessions or more the rest of the game.

Iowa’s star, Leonard Miller, was unstoppable in the game as he scored 34 points on 14 of 22 shooting in that game, but the rest of the starters struggled. Their defensive backbone, center Jesse Edwards, got into early foul trouble (a common trend) which limited him to just 15 minutes. The rest of the starting three guards shot a frigid 15 of 48 from the field.

It looked like the Iowa Wolves were still primed for an excellent regular season despite the disappointing loss. However, their roster went through massive changes once the new year rolled around. For one, Miller was recalled to the Minnesota Timberwolves as that roster started suffering injuries. Jaylen Clark played just four regular season games before also getting recalled to Minnesota. Daishen Nix was soon waived in order for Iowa to acquire rookie Tristen Newton. Jesse Edwards appeared sporadically in just 9 of 20 regular season games due to nagging injuries and foul trouble issues. Contributing guards Chasson Randle and Mike Miles Jr. both left Iowa for other teams as well.

That’s six rotation players that are no longer playing a regular role on the team.

The result has been a very disappointing 4-16 record heading into the All-Star break. That’s worst in the G League. Their average margin of loss is 11.8 points. Also worst in the G League, by far. Even in three of their four victories, it was primarily because some mix of the Timberwolves rookies and/or two-way players were active.

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1. Jaylen Clark played 42 minutes in an overtime victory vs the Mexico City Capitanes
2. Rob Dillingham played in his second G League game in a five-point win over the Greensboro Swarm
3. Leonard Miller dominated in his lone game with Iowa, playing 44 minutes versus the first place Stockton Kings

With 14 games left in the regular season, it’s highly unlikely that Iowa will be able to turn things around to clinch a playoff spot. The top six seeds from each conference get a spot and the Wolves are still 6.5 games back from the sixth spot.

This is what happens in the G sometimes. It can be considered a massive disappointment of a season if you look at their overall record and lack of competitiveness. They’ve been crushed early and often in each game, often falling behind by double-digits in the first quarter. There’s not a ton of peripheral talent to tune in to watch and they play a unrecognizable style of basketball.

However, it can also be viewed as a glowing success, since a player like Leonard Miller has seemingly “graduated” from Iowa in the way that Naz Reid, but more like Josh Minott and Luka Garza have. Too good for the G, not quite good enough for the NBA. Terrence Shannon Jr. (and Rob Dillingham to a lesser extent) has proven that he’s already way too good for the G, averaging 33.0 points and a +/- of +15.5 in his two games there. Jaylen Clark got his Achilles legs and confidence back so that he was ready to grow into his current role with the Timberwolves.

It’s a developmental league and the Wolves may have players that developed faster than they thought. However, it’s still fun to tune in to see who might be the next player to make the jump.

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Two-Way Wolves Update

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Jaylen Clark

Regular season:
20 GP | 32.8 MP | 13.6 PTS | 4.9 REB | 2.4 AST | 2.6 STL | 0.3 BLK | 1.5 TOV | 2.8 PF
42.4 FG% | 38.2 3P% | 66.7 FT%

As mentioned earlier, 16 of Clark’s 20 games took place during the Tip-Off Tournament/Winter Showcase. He was a key starter for the great success that Iowa experienced during that time. Outside of his three-point percentage, his offensive numbers may not pop off the screen, but nearly half of his field goal attempts were from perimeter (5.1 3PA, 11.2 FGA). The only thing keeping “Crimestopper” from becoming a solid NBA 3&D player is a consistent jumper, so it was great to see him focus on that with good results.

Defensively, Clark is what he is. He’s built like a tank and plays with the motor of a lawnmower bat out of hell. Jaylen plays irritating point-of-attack defense, living in the jerseys of his opponents, but also plays passing lanes beautifully. His quick start-stop-ability helps him fly across the court whether it’s in the halfcourt or in transition.

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Jesse Edwards

Regular season:
25 GP | 24.6 MP | 12.2 PTS | 7.0 REB | 1.4 AST | 0.8 STL | 1.6 BLK | 1.6 TOV | 3.1 PF
64.9 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 52.7 FT%

“Netherlands Gobert” has come a long way. Edwards looked completely out of his element during Las Vegas Summer League. He didn’t know where to be either end of the court. Showed terrible hands. Exhibited bad energy and motor. Had a “bag” that would make Rudy look like Hakeem Olajuwon. However, his development has been quite surprising playing with Iowa.

Despite his limited availability because of minor injuries and his constant foul trouble, Jesse has found a new groove. Unlike summer league, he plays much more like he looks: The biggest guy on the floor. Edwards has been cleaning the glass and swatting shots very effectively. He has even certainly learned how to space the court effectively as a play finisher, but has also showed potential with his touch.

He’s most recently been sitting on the bench with the Timberwolves, though his reassignment back to Iowa may be imminent once Julius Randle returns from injury.

Tristen Newton

Regular season:
10 GP | 35.5 MP | 19.5 PTS | 6.5 REB | 6.5 AST | 1.9 STL | 0.2 BLK | 4.0 TOV | 2.5 PF
44.7 FG% | 34.4 3P% | 87.5 FT%

It’s easy to see why the Wolves front office saw potential in the big 23-year-old guard. His box score numbers are comparable to Daishen Nix, the player he was essentially replacing, but one of the main differences is the three-point shooting. A 34.4% mark from deep may be below league average numbers, but Nix shot just 30.0% in his 10 games and just 27.1% the season before.

Newton notched a triple-double in just his fourth game with Iowa, but nearly achieved that against twice in his last two games. He plays a smooth, controlled style of game, using his skill and craft to get to where he needs to get on the court. Tristen doesn’t make the flashy pass or churn out highlight reel buckets, but he plays a smart style of basketball that is worth tuning in for.

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Intriguing Prospects

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Babacar Sané

Regular season:
5 GP | 23.6 MP | 13.6 PTS | 4.8 REB | 0.4 AST | 0.4 STL | 0.6 BLK | 1.6 TOV | 2.4 PF
46.4 FG% | 23.5 3P% | 70.0 FT%

At just 21 years of age, Babacar Sané has the size (6’8” height; 230 lbs; 7’3” wingspan) and explosive athleticism that’s hard to ignore.

The Sengalese forward is a walking highlight reel. He goes after every block and every dunk opportunity, for better or worse. Iowa recently traded one of their rotation players, Jaedon LeDee, for Sane and after just two games, he’s been promoted to their starting lineup. He was one of the main reasons the Wolves won their first game of the season without one of the Timberwolves rostered players.

He’s the definition of a raw talent though. The jump shot is far from consistent. The decision-making still has a long way to go, as he often goes screaming towards the rim with reckless abandon. That said, Sane’s only turned 21 years old five months ago and he’s already in his third G League season after spending the first two with the now defunct G League Ignite.

Sané has a ton of potential and has an interesting story. From an early age, he was on the NBA’s radar in Africa and is just such an easy young man to root for.

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Trevor Keels

Regular season:
33 GP | 36.8 MP | 19.3 PTS | 3.7 REB | 4.0 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.0 BLK | 2.7 TOV | 1.7 PF
44.2 FG% | 36.7 3P% | 77.1 FT%

“Keel Mode” is now in his second season with the Iowa Wolves and taking on a much bigger role. The 42nd pick of the 2022 draft has been a leader for Iowa this year, starting every game he’s played and logged the most total minutes played for the Wolves.

Built in the mold of former Wolves Killer, Wesley Matthews, Keels has been putting in work in the G. The 21-year-old shooting guard has seen his efficiency improve each season. Currently, he launches the most shots from deep for Iowa, knocking down 2.8 of 7.6 attempts per game. His heroics in the clutch has also been huge for a team that’s desperate for wins.

Unfortunately, Trevor plays the position of least need for Minnesota. It’s unlikely he’d get called up as he would be buried on the depth chart, but he’s been a steady hand who’s continuing to grind. He still has potential as a young 3&D player in the NBA.

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Productive Innings Eaters

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Nojel Eastern

Regular season:
20 GP | 31.2 MP | 14.0 PTS | 5.5 REB | 2.8 AST | 1.6 STL | 0.4 BLK | 2.0 TOV | 2.4 PF
54.7 FG% | 46.0 3P% | 76.5 FT%

The Iowa Wolves drafted Nojel Eastern in the 2023 G League draft with the 41st pick. The husky do-it-all swingman was billed as a “big guard” coming into college and the G League. He entered his second season with Iowa dealing with some injuries, but has played in 20 straight games.

Standing at 6’6” and listed as 220 pounds, Eastern has always been an intriguing player to watch on the court.

• Eastern has the size and look of Grant Williams
• Eastern usually dinks-and-dunks you to death ala Antawn Jamison
• Eastern has a jumper that is reminiscent of Kevin Duckworth
• Eastern makes surprising plays for others like Thaddeus Young

The 25-year-old has filled holes in the roster wherever needed. Need someone to crash the glass? Nojel will get you double-digit boards. Need someone to make a play? Nojel will score you an awkward bucket or find an open teammate. Need some defensive stops? Nojel will mix it up and get his hands dirty.

Eastern’s overall box score numbers suggest he’s a better player than he is. He shoots a low volume of triples (3.1 3PA) and takes the sixth most amount of field goals per game of active Iowa players.

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El Ellis

Regular season:
36 GP | 27.7 MP | 12.4 PTS | 3.4 REB | 4.6 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.2 BLK | 1.6 TOV | 1.9 PF
42.0 FG% | 29.9 3P% | 74.1 FT%

At first, Ellis looks like just another undrafted score-first guard that’s trying to make it, but he has an interesting story as well. El played two years at Tallahassee Community College and was considered the number one JUCO player before transferring to Louisville, then Arkansas.

Known more as a volume scorer that you’ll commonly find in the G League, he’s been starting to put up more impressive numbers during the Wolves regular season. His playing time has spiked to 35.7 during the regular season after playing much less during the initial Tip-Off Tournament phase, and is now averaging over 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game interchanging his role as a starter and sixth man.

El is just one of two players to have appeared in all 36 games for the Wolves so far. He’s also fresh off a career night, exploding for 46 points against the Rip City Remix.

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Martez Brown

Regular season:
36 GP | 18.6 MP | 5.9 PTS | 5.5 REB | 0.8 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.6 BLK | 0.6 TOV | 2.8 PF
62.0 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 57.7 FT%

The only other player to have played every game for Iowa this season is the athletic 6’9” forward, Martez Brown. Tez was a rebounding machine in college, but didn’t show enough promise and skills to get drafted, catch on with a summer league team, nor get a training camp invite. Instead, Brown took fate into his own hands and showed up for an open tryout for the Iowa Wolves in October.

He made the team.

It’s hard not to notice Tez when he’s on the court. He’s plays with a frenetic energy that is reminiscent of a young Kenneth Faried. His lack of playing time has more to do with his knack for accumulating fouls in short periods of time than his lack of productivity. Brown doesn’t have a ton of ball skills nor is he blessed with a lot of height for his position. However, he has suited up as the makeshift center for the Wolves, paying them off with 13.0 rebounds in his past three games.

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There you have it. Your 2024-2025 Iowa Wolves! So when you’re at the water cooler or family gathering, you’re equipped to describe Nojel Eastern in a way that’ll speak to your millenial NBA casual.

You’re welcome.