Tayshaun Prince to Timberwolves: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction
The Minnesota Timberwolves infused their young team with a seasoned pro Thursday by signing small forward Tayshaun Prince. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reported Prince is joining Minnesota on a one-year contract at the veteran's minimum salary. The Timberwolves announced the deal on Aug. 20.
Prince spent more than 10 seasons with the Detroit Pistons to start his NBA career, before being traded to Memphis during the 2012-13 campaign. He played under current Minnesota coach Flip Saunders for three seasons during that span.
The Grizzlies dealt him away to Boston in the Jeff Green trade, before the 35-year-old returned to Detroit in a trade near the end of this last season.
Former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks weighed in on the Timberwolves' noteworthy acquisition:
What immediately springs to mind in terms of Prince's impact in Minnesota is how valuable a mentor he can be to 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins.
After claiming NBA Rookie of the Year honors, Wiggins' future is bright, but the Wolves didn't have anyone like Prince to guide the Kansas product. Not only will Prince give Wiggins insight on the nuances of playing on the wing, but he can also impart wisdom to other precocious Minnesota players like Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine.
Synergy Sports Tech highlighted how Prince can still be effective even as his playing days are close to concluding:
Although Prince moved away from a full-time starting role for the first time since his rookie year in 2014-15, he played at a rather high level to close the season.
His effective field-goal percentage of 47.9 was his best since 2010-11, per Basketball-Reference.com. He can be a prominent contributor in Minnesota at least for the duration of his short-term contract.
It also doesn't hurt that Prince has championship experience, having won an NBA title with the Pistons in 2004. Adding Prince to carry some of the leadership weight with longtime face of the franchise Kevin Garnett is a savvy, complementary personnel move by the Wolves.
