Reggie Jackson was the Denver Nuggets’ ninth man during their championship run last year. He played a total of 18 minutes in over 20 games, mostly in garbage time. All of Denver’s players outside of the top eight combined for 80 minutes total in the playoffs.
So why does the ninth man matter? Because the Wolves need to think about the age of their key contributors. Mike Conley, 36, may need to miss a playoff game due to injury. The same could be said for Rudy Gobert, 31. Ninth men are especially important in the regular season. The Nuggets played their ninth man approximately 19.5 minutes per game to provide relief for their starters.
This is a pivotal regular season for the Wolves, and the depth rotation spot has been a source of uncertainty. Three main contenders have cycled in and out, and there is no clear front-runner. All three contestants have had their strengths and weaknesses. So, in honor of the WWE Royal Rumble this Saturday, let’s break down Minnesota’s ninth-man contestants rumble style, starting chronologically with the first two entrants.
1st Entrant
Shake Milton (SniperShake) October 25 to December 11
Milton represented the clear-cut favorite to win the final rotation spot at the start of the season. He had established a phenomenal above-the-break three-game and deadly floater when the Wolves signed him to replace Jaylin Nowell. Milton appeared hungry for consistent playing time and a significant role with the Wolves.
However, that didn’t work out as well as the Wolves expected. Shake struggled to find a rhythm in the 22 games he held the rotation spot, shooting 38.1% from the field and 25.0% from three. Interestingly, Milton’s final two games in the rotation, December 8 and December 11, were possibly the best he played all season.
Collectively, he shot 10 of 19 for 29 points and had six assists and only two turnovers in 42 minutes. Below is an example of Shake hitting a pick-and-roll floater similar to Conley’s. That has to give hope that Milton could still fit with the Wolves should he return.
2nd Entrant
Jordan McLaughlin (J-MAC) October 28 to November 6
McLaughlin started the season battling for the ninth rotation spot. He helped the Wolves to a 4-1 record in five of the first six games. McLaughlin played a total of 19 minutes in the five games and didn’t thrive in a limited role and shot just 25% in the five-game sample size on only four attempts.
Although that’s not the most impressive statistic, McLaughlin provided excellent ball security, with five assists and no turnovers. Unfortunately, he fell prey to an MCL injury diving for a loose ball in the November 6 game against Boston, forcing him to take an early injury-related exit.
Below is a clip from perhaps his best game early in the season, where he displays his quick step and vision on a drive that ends with a Kyle Anderson push shot.
3rd Entrant
Troy Brown Jr. (no nickname on basketball ref) November 24 to December 16
Brown earned and held his shot at the ninth-man role due to his electric start in the November 24 game against the Sacramento Kings. He had ten points and seven rebounds resulting from his constant effort fighting for the opportunity. Brown played more than 15 minutes in every game in the nine games that followed.
Over that ten-game span, Brown shot 52.9% from the field and 43.1% from three. He also provided effort on every play by diving for loose balls, fighting for rebounds, and doing the little things reminiscent of Josh Okogie and Jarred Vanderbilt’s game.
The big difference is that Brown was hitting shots in the flow of the offense. Brown hit 43.5% of his threes on catch-and-shoot opportunities without dribbling on 4.6 attempts per game. Brown’s reduced minutes were less about his play and more about his fit with the roster.
Brown only had 17 assists in 238 minutes of play. Only once in that stretch did he have an assist percentage of over 17%, and twice he registered a 0%. Ultimately, Brown’s lack of playmaking resulted in his change in role. But the clip below displays his upside and effort.
4th Entrant
By Gawd, he’s back
McLaughlin (J-MAC) December 26 to current
McLaughlin came storming back to the ninth-man competition after recovering from an MCL injury and biding his time on the bench. On December 26, he finally got a chance to jump back into the ring. McLaughlin’s most recent stint has been exactly what fans would expect.
In the 14 games since taking back the role, he’s shooting 41.3% from the field and 34.6% from three. McLaughlin’s playmaking differentiates him from Brown. McLaughlin is averaging 2.3 assists in 12.3 minutes and an impressive 4.29 assist-to-turnover ratio. To drive the point home, McLaughlin’s assist percentage on average over this last stretch is 25.6%, meaning one-fourth of McLaughlin’s possessions end in an opportunity for an assist.
Perhaps the biggest surprise has been McLaughlin’s defense. At 6’0”, he has a 94.0 defensive rating over the last 14 games. While defensive rating typically doesn’t account for one player’s impact, it shows that McLaughlin is thriving in Minnesota’s system. For context, his defensive rating has never been below 105.9.
McLaughlin’s defensive improvement mostly comes from his ability to pick opposing players’ pockets, as seen below.
McLaughlin currently holds Minnesota’s ninth rotation spot. That’s somewhat because of better fit but also due to tenacity and better play. However, Milton and Brown will get plenty of opportunity with 40 games left in the season. Injuries may open up opportunities, the trade deadline is quickly approaching, and buyout candidates will emerge. But for now, McLaughlin has regained his place as the ninth man in the Wolves rotation.
