The Minnesota Timberwolves are signing forward Justin Jackson to a 10-day contract, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
NBA News: Minnesota Timberwolves Signing 2017 First-Round Pick
The Timberwolves are signing Justin Jackson to a 10-day contract, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2024
Timberwolves Season
The Timberwolves have exceeded all expectations this season. They are currently seated at the top of the Western Conference, with a record of 39-16.
Securing the #1 seed will present its challenges however, as the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets lurk just below them. All three teams are less than four games back of the Timberwolves.
Home court advantage is crucial in the postseason, as the Nuggets most recently evidenced in their 2023 playoff run to the title.
Timberwolves All-Star Weekend
Minnesota enjoyed a successful All-Star break, and they were well represented throughout the festivities at All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.
Head coach Chris Finch took on the task of coaching the Western Conference All-Stars. That team included Minnesota’s two stars, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Both also participated in the competitions at All-Star Saturday Night. Edwards was a member of Team Top Picks during the Skills Challenge, while Towns competed in the Three-Point Contest.
Timberwolves Signing’s Career
Jackson is no stranger to the NBA, having played for a multitude of teams across a span of six years. An NCAA champion and star at the University of North Carolina, Jackson was selected with the 15th pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. That same night, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Jackson’s rookie season in 2017-18 saw him receive the most minutes he’s ever averaged in his NBA career. Jackson played 68 games(including 41 starts), averaging 22.1 minutes per game. Midway through his sophomore campaign, the Kings traded Jackson to the Dallas Mavericks as part of a deal for Harrison Barnes.
After 1.5 seasons in Dallas, Jackson was on the move yet again, this time to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jackson played 33 games for the Thunder before they waived him in April of 2021.
A few days later, the Milwaukee Bucks signed Jackson to a two-way contract. Despite only appearing in one regular season game and five playoff games, Jackson became an NBA champion as the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games to win the NBA Finals.
The following two years saw the former UNC star bounce across various teams, including short stints with the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.
Now 28 years-old, Jackson will be hoping to find some stability in Minnesota. Jackson spent the majority of 2023-24 in the NBA G League.
Jackson has been averaging 19.9 points with the G League Texas Legends. He’s played 278 NBA games with seven teams since coming into the league as a first-round pick in 2017.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2024
What’s Next for Minnesota and Jackson
The Timberwolves were able to sign Jackson thanks to an open roster spot following the Monte Morris trade at the deadline.
Under his current contract, Jackson will be eligible to play in five games for the Timberwolves, up until March 1st. All five games are at home, as they will host the Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings.
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