Minnesota Timberwolves make move on forward with 44.4 3FG%

The Minnesota Timberwolves are mostly unchanged following their Western Conference Finals run, except for Kyle Anderson’s move to the Golden State Warriors. Despite this, the team sought additional shooting depth for training camp, leading them to sign former college standout Jaedon LeDee to an Exhibit 10 contract. LeDee, known for his shooting prowess, averaged 44.4% from three-point range in his final season at San Diego State.

Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com reported the signing. LeDee had previously played with the Timberwolves in the Summer League, where he evidently impressed enough to earn a training camp invite. At San Diego State, he also won the 2024 Karl Malone Award, recognizing him as the nation’s best power forward.

An Exhibit 10 contract gives LeDee a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with a potential $75,000 bonus if he spends at least 60 days with the team’s G League affiliate. Each NBA team can sign up to six players under this contract, allowing them to compete for a spot on either the main roster or the G League affiliate.

If a player performs well, the team can convert the Exhibit 10 deal into a two-way contract, guaranteeing the bonus. However, teams can only have three active two-way contracts, and these conversions must happen before the regular season begins. Should LeDee excel and remain on the 15-man roster, his contract will shift to a standard minimum deal, counting against the salary cap.

Notable players like Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso of the Los Angeles Lakers have risen from two-way contracts to important roles in the NBA, with Caruso being the first to move from the G League (then D League) to the NBA on a two-way deal. Perhaps the Lakers have a knack for finding talent through this path.