Nick Young Rumors: Timberwolves Reportedly Making 'Strong Push'

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly targeted free-agent guard Nick Young as they attempt to add shooting to their bench unit.

David Aldridge of TNT reported Tuesday that the Wolves are making a "strong push" for the 32-year-old.

Young has become highly sought after by teams looking to add talent around the mid-level exception number. He averaged 13.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 2016-17, shooting 40.4 percent from three-point range.

Zach Lowe of ESPN reported the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans were also among the "leading bidders" for Young. Warriors forward Draymond Green posted a Snapchat with Young earlier this week with the caption "Warriors?".

Golden State can only offer Young a $5.2 million exception, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, which is less lucrative than the non-taxpayer mid-level ($8.4 million). Young declined a contract that would have paid him $5.7 million next season with the Los Angeles Lakers, so signing with the Warriors would represent a pay cut.

Young has had a notable turnaround recently, as he was borderline unplayable in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons in Los Angeles. His poor defense had always been masked by a scoring ability that all but disappeared for that two-year stretch, with him shooting well below the 40 percent mark from the field—including a 33.9 percent rate in 2015-16.

The Timberwolves have made a concerted effort to add off-the-dribble creation and shot-making in free agency, adding Jeff Teague, according to Wojnarowski, and targeting Young. Neither player will make up for the loss of Ricky Rubio, a better player who was a poor fit because he's a non-elite shooter. But if Young hits threes at the 40 percent clip he did last season, he'll be a useful fit wherever he signs.