Many fans were skeptical when the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Ricky Rubio for Taurean Prince and a second-round pick. Rubio wasn’t an elite talent, but Prince had only played 41 games the year prior. Still, at least it cleared up cap room and wasn’t a team-shifting trade, so nobody could be too upset.
Although some fans were skeptical, the logic was there. Prince was the 3-and-D forward the Wolves needed off the bench. With a team that lacked defensive depth, Prince was an ideal fit. Prince got off to a slow start. He only averaged 4 points per game 20 games into the season and needed to bounce back. However, he finished the season averaging a respectable 7 points per game on a career-high 59% true shooting percentage.
After he finished the season strong, many fans hoped the Wolves would bring Prince back, and Prince wanted to be back. “It is what it is,” Prince said when asked about his impending free agency. “Honestly, me personally, I plan to return.” He had good camaraderie with his teammates and liked playing for Chris Finch.
It’s not every day that a player wants to return to Minnesota. However, it’s the sign of a winning franchise, something the Wolves look to lay the foundation of in these next few years. Players will take less money to stay with the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, or Boston Celtics. But it’s a whole new dimension for the Wolves. The words “I plan to return” probably rang like a bell throughout the Mayo Clinic Center.
The Wolves planned on Prince returning, too. They wasted no time inking the 28-year-old to a 2-year, $16 million deal. Fortunately for Minnesota, this contract is about as team-friendly as possible. There’s almost no way this deal goes south for the Wolves. Because the second year is non-guaranteed, it’s essentially a 1-year, $8 million contract on the books.
The Prince extension is a huge move for the Wolves off the court. They had great team chemistry last season, one of the main reasons many fans are against trades. Keeping the same locker room could foster continued success. Prince also doesn’t receive enough credit for what he did for Minnesota’s locker room. Patrick Beverley is often credited for single-handedly changing the culture.
However, he had Prince’s help.
On the court, Prince’s role will likely stay the same, although the addition of Kyle Anderson will diminish some of his minutes. He slots perfectly in as one of Minnesota’s backup forwards. He was the Wolves’ fourth-best 3-point shooter this season (38%), and he should continue to play well as he gets closer to 30. 3-and-D often tend to fend off age regression relatively well. Players like Danny Green, P.J. Tucker, Wesley Matthews, and Beverley have all aged well in a similar role.
If Father Time continues to ignore Prince for the next two years, he will be an essential part of Minnesota’s future success. Given Anthony Edwards‘ emergence in the playoffs last year, it’s important to consider how anyone the Wolves add plays next to him. Fortunately, Prince complement’s Edwards’ game well.
The Wolves need to surround Edwards with low usage rate forwards and play high-level defense. They also have to be able to spot up and catch and shoot, especially in the corner. Prince fits into this role perfectly. His usage rate is low at 17%, and his defense is still valuable. He also shoots extremely well behind the arc, shooting 43.9% from the corner and 39% on the catch-and-shoot threes.
However, Prince is likely to face one significant change. He probably will lose minutes at small forward. As the list of forwards on the roster continues to grow, Wendell Moore Jr, Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels, and Edwards will all take up time at the small forward position. Moore is projected to get minutes immediately, reducing Prince’s playing time there.
Prince doesn’t need to play small forward, though. He’s already developed himself in the NBA, and power forward is undoubtedly his best position. Plus, the Wolves will want to see what players like McDaniels and Moore will be able to produce at that position.
Prince taking a team-friendly deal should signify changing times throughout Minnesota. For once, a player is willing to come to the Twin Cities. It’s a product of winning basketball, and with Prince returning to bolster the roster, it should be a product here to stay.
