After trading out of the second round, the Minnesota Timberwolves sign undrafted big man Jesse Edwards out of West Virginia on a two-way contract.
After an eventful first round, where they traded into the top-eight, selected Rob Dillingham, and picked Terrence Shannon Jr. at No. 27, the Minnesota Timberwolves successfully maneuvered out of the second round on Thursday afternoon. Starting the day with the No. 37 pick, they traded it and Wendell Moore Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for the No. 53 pick. The Wolves then traded the No. 53 pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for a future second-round pick and the No. 57 pick, which they subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors for cash.
A lot of trading for the Wolves in second round. Told that they got a future second to move down from 53 to 57, then received cash considerations for 57.
Moves that made sense after picking up 2 players in the first round on Wednesday.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 28, 2024
There were still many quality prospects available as the second round began, but it was clear that Minnesota had no intention of making second-round selections. If Tim Connelly and his staff had drafted a player at No. 37, it likely would have resulted in a multi-year rookie contract. The Wolves had already increased their expenses by trading up for Rob Dillingham, so avoiding an early second-round selection potentially saved them from further inflating their tax bill.
Instead, the Wolves brought in an undrafted rookie. Shortly after the draft, Luuk von Berg of ESPN NL reported that West Virginia big man Jesse Edwards was signing a two-way contract with the Wolves.
A two-way contract is more affordable and practical than a rookie contract, as it doesn’t count against the salary cap. According to the Sports Business Classroom, two-way contracts pay half the value of a rookie minimum salary (estimated at $580,272 for the 2024-25 season, pro-rated based on the in-season signing date). Signing Edwards to a two-way contract not only saves money but also allows him to develop with the Iowa Wolves while still being available for the NBA roster as needed.
Once Edwards’ signing is official, Minnesota will have him and Jaylen Clark on two-way contracts for next season, leaving one additional two-way spot open. Luka Garza and Daishen Nix are currently pending as restricted free agents.
Edwards, originally from Amsterdam, played five years of college basketball, four with Syracuse and one with West Virginia. In his final season, he averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 61.3% from the floor over 23 games (starting in 22) for the Mountaineers.
The 7-foot big man, with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, is a dynamic and energetic prospect. He excels in pick-and-roll situations and in the dunker’s spot. At 24 years old, Edwards shows potential on both ends of the floor, moving his feet well for his size and being a defensive presence around the basket.
Despite impressing in pre-draft workouts, Edwards is still a raw prospect, lacking NBA-level skills like floor spacing and a soft touch around the rim, which likely contributed to him going undrafted. However, he has the potential to develop into a quality rim-running threat.
Edwards’ build and play style are similar to Rudy Gobert’s. Working closely with Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, will benefit Edwards as he spends time with the NBA squad, allowing him to learn and improve his game.
