The Minnesota Timberwolves officially locked up former Duke star Isaiah Evans to a four-year, $9.3 million deal this weekend. For a guy taken as the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, this contract, with three fully guaranteed years and a fourth-year team option, hints that the Wolves might have found a serious gem.
Duke's Diamond in the Rough
Evans spent two seasons with the Blue Devils, showcasing a skillset that screams NBA potential. Sure, he's skinny, but at 6-foot-6, he averaged 15 points per game in his final year at Duke, sinking 36.1% of his shots from beyond the arc. And get this: as a freshman, on a Cooper Flagg-led team stacked with other perimeter talent, he still hit an insane 41.6% of his threes. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype broke the news on X, confirming Evans, an All-ACC Team selection, is now officially a Timberwolf. The dude can shoot, and that alone could make him a huge steal at pick 33.
What His Role Looks Like in Minnesota
Now that the ink's dry on his rookie deal, Evans can stop stressing about contracts and focus on ball. The Timberwolves aren't going to need him to be an immediate perimeter star with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards already running the show. That takes some pressure off, allowing him to grow into the league. But if he can prove he can get hot in a hurry off the bench, showing that instant offense, he's gonna be super useful for this team. This signing isn't simply a step; it's the start of Evans aiming to become a key contributor in the NBA.
He's got the talent; now it's about putting in the work. The league better be watching, because this kid is officially in the building and ready to show what he can do.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.