The Minnesota Timberwolves cut ties with two-way point guard Daishen Nix to make room for a two-time NCAA champion, Tristen Newton.
As first reported by Michael Scotto of USA TODAY Sports and HoopsHype, the Minnesota Timberwolves have claimed 23-year-old rookie, Tristen Newton, off waivers after the Indiana Pacers cut him on January 1st, 2025.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are waiving two-way guard Daishen Nix, league sources told @hoopshype. Nix averaged 22.1 points, 7.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game for the Iowa Wolves in the G League. Nix departs to make room for Tristen Newton on a 2-way. https://t.co/hmJWnZ4L82
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 3, 2025
In order to make room for the 6-foot-5 point guard, the Wolves had to cut ties with one of their three two-way players, Daishen Nix. Nix, who’s still just 22-years-old, spent the past four years in the G-League including the last season and a half with the Iowa Wolves. He was most known for his “point” celebration and flashy fits that he brought to the Minnesota bench.
@adukemn Daishen Nix, on creating the point celebration for thr Wolves bench @Timberwolves #wolvesback #nbasummerleague #timberwolves
During his time with Iowa, he showed his ability to stuff the stat sheet, including averages of 22.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.9 steals per game this season. He’ll surely be scooped up by another team that could use a G-League veteran that brings passionate energy and positivity to the locker room. Many fans will miss Daishen.
Meanwhile, the signing of Newton should be quite exciting. He may not play a crucial role for the Minnesota Timberwolves immediately (See: Dillingham minutes), but he certainly has a potential despite being nearly a year older than Nix. Newton had a stellar five-year NCAA career, most notably during his final two years with the University of Connecticut Huskies. He started every game he played there, culminating in two straight NCAA championships. Newton also scooped up a handful of accolades in 2024 as well, such as the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award, Bob Cousy Award, Consensus first-team All-American, and First-team All-Big East.
Newton was one of many players Tim Connelly had worked out prior to the 2024 NBA draft. Connelly clearly had him on his radar as he was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 19th pick of the second round. Newton has spent the majority of the season with their G-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, putting up the following averages in the Tip-Off Tournament (10 games):
- 17.0 points
- 6.9 rebounds
- 6.3 assists
- 1.2 steals
- 0.5 blocks
- 3.2 turnovers
- .421 FG% (5.3 FGM)
- .420 3P% (2.9 3PM)
- .688 FT% (2.2 FTM)
His averages have dipped a bit in the ensuing four games of the G-League regular season, but he has continued to show an ability to knockdown the three-ball while commanding an offense as a floor general. According to Scott Agness of the Fieldhouse Files, it’s presumed that Newton may have preferred an opportunity with another team. He’ll likely spend the rest of the season developing with Iowa.
If you haven’t seen Tristen Newton play before, here are his offensive possessions from a game against the Iowa Wolves back in November. https://t.co/eSKYkuuthQ pic.twitter.com/WalQtjb4dP
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 3, 2025
For those of you who have been Timberwolves fans for a long time, then you can rejoice in the age-old hobby: Finding a new prospect to dump your hopes and dreams into. His first chance to put on a (Iowa) Wolves jersey will be tomorrow as they take on the Santa Cruz Warriors on January 4th at 6:30pm CT. Terrence Shannon Jr has also been assigned to the Iowa Wolves for this contest so perhaps between timeouts and halftime of the Timberwolves versus Pistons game, you can flip over to NBAGLeague.com for the game.