Former Minnesota Timberwolves Josh Okogie signs with Suns

The first free-agent defection from the Minnesota Timberwolves roster occurred as shooting guard Josh Okogie has now signed with the Phoenix Suns. That news broke on Sunday, July 3, 2022, as one of only a few NBA newsworthy items was reported.

Of course, it’s probably the calm before the storm, as the fate of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Deandre Ayton, James Harden, and more have yet to be decided. When any of those trades/signings go down, the NBA landscape will be rocked once more.

For now, the four-year veteran of the Minnesota Timberwolves is heading to the Phoenix Suns.

The signing is reported to be at the league minimum and lines up as the fourth such NBA Free Agency signing so far for the Suns.

Here’s what you get in Josh Okogie

So what are the Suns acquiring?

Josh Okogie was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his development never seemed to get beyond a rotational role player in the Timberwolves lineup. He started 123 of 244 games played over the past four seasons, but only nine of those in the 2021-22 season.

He flashed effort, but the timetable for the Minnesota Timberwolves changed dramatically from the moment that the team entered the NBA Playoffs.

He is a 6-foot-4 213-pound shooting guard who has watched his role diminish dramatically, making him no surprise to seek out a new team. A sub-.300 shooter from the perimeter, he does bring a bit more defense to the basketball court when he steps onto the floor.

A new team may do him well, as he has plateaued far too quickly for the Timberwolves, and his ability to develop further is significantly less by remaining.