NBA Rumors: Young Timberwolves Guard Appears Set To Leave Team In Free Agency

Now in his fourth season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, 23-year-old shooting guard Jaylen Nowell is ready to test free agency after the season. That's the word from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Jaylen Nowell is leaning toward leaving the Timberwolves in the offseason via free agency, sources tell @ShamsCharania.

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— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 30, 2023

Timberwolves guard Jaylen Nowell is leaning toward leaving the team in the offseason via free agency, sources say. Nowell... will be a sought after unrestricted free agent in July. 

The Seattle, Washington product is averaging 10.9 points this season in only 19.7 minutes, to go along with 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. His three-point shooting is off, however, down to just 27.6% from 39% last year. He's even worse than that in the last two months, hitting on just 24 of 100 attempts since the start of December. 

His defense has also been problematic at times, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. "No one expects Nowell to be Gary Payton on defense. But when he is not torching the opponent on offense, his defensive shortcomings are magnified."

Nowell is earning $1.9M in the final season of his rookie deal, is currently eligible for a maximum extension of four years and $58M. There has been no indication of any extension talks taking place between the 6'4" guard as the T-Wolves. 

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