Ricky Rubio, a 2022 second-round pick, and cash. That’s what it took for the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire the supposed 3-and-D forward Taurean Prince from the Cleveland Cavaliers this past offseason.
Prince was coming off a season where he averaged 9.5 points per contest on an efficient 40% shooting from 3-point territory. He was also a competent defensive wing on the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers. The backcourt pairing of Minnesota’s beloved Rubio and D’Angelo Russell proved to be a failed experiment by the organization. The Timberwolves were — and still very well may be — in desperate need of someone who could provide both floor spacing and defensive versatility.
When the trade was announced, it seemed to be a solid deal for both parties involved. But since acquiring the 2016 lottery pick, Prince’s play hasn’t been royally entertaining through 24 games.
Fans of the franchise have been quick to voice their opinions via Twitter on trading for the 6’7″ wing. I’m sure you can guess which side they’re leaning towards. While currently averaging career lows in both points per game and 3-point percentage, Prince has been looking much closer to the likes of old friend Tayshaun Prince during his later years in the league than he has his former self.
Prince made his Wolves debut in Minnesota’s opening preseason game on Oct. 4 against the New Orleans Pelicans. The forward’s play was everything you could ask of him, as he was able to put up a quick yet efficient 12 points in only 15 minutes of play on only 4-of-5 shots from beyond the arc. The Baylor product was also disrupted New Orleans’ offense, given his ability to switch onto multiple opponents at any given moment.
Granted, his stellar performance came during a meaningless preseason game against one of the worst teams in the association. And since then, TP hasn’t provided this team much other than the game-winning “tough lefty” layup against the Philadelphia 76ers back on Nov. 27.
Yes, Taurean’s tenure as a Timberwolf has been underwhelming. But it seems as though he’s here to stay. Counterintuitively, Chris Finch may want to give Prince more playing time to try and tap into TP’s potential. Before you go grab your pitchforks and torches, the numbers don’t lie: Prince is an exceptional basketball player when given ample playing time.
When Prince averages above 20 minutes per game, he’s been able to shoot above league average (34.2%) from deep in all but one season (2019-20).
Even before being dealt away as part of the three-team blockbuster trade that sent superstar James Harden to Brooklyn, Taurean was shooting a hint above 35% from deep while averaging only 18.2 minutes per contest. Fast forward to the end of the season, and Prince saw a five-minute rise in his playing time per contest with the Cavs. Consequently, his points and 3-point percentage for the season took steps in the right direction.
In no way am I insinuating that Prince should be a starting forward for this team. Nor am I suggesting that he will average upwards of 25 points per game if Finch plays him for the full 48-minute game. But Josh Okogie’s role is diminishing, and there’s constant uncertainty about Patrick Beverley’s health status. Therefore, there may be a case for Finch to give Prince additional minutes to find his rhythm as a sharpshooter and versatile defender.
Let me be clear: Finch has to do what is best for the team, not what is best for Taurean Prince’s career averages. But with an expiring $13 million contract, it may be in the organization’s best interest to try and make the swingman as appealing as possible as the NBA trade deadline approaches.
