Terrence Shannon Jr. still has a chance to be a key contributor for the Timberwolves this season, and his opportunity could come after the All-Star break.
Minnesota announced Monday that Shannon, who hasn’t played in more than six weeks because of a foot injury, has been cleared for five-on-five basketball and will begin a rehab assignment with the Iowa Wolves in the G League on Tuesday.
Shannon will be reevaluated during the NBA All-Star break, at which point he could return to the Wolves’ rotation. That means he could be back in the lineup, in his typical reserve role, on Feb. 20.
The Wolves have two games before the break, and both are at home against Atlanta on Monday and Dallas on Wednesday.
Shannon has been out since Dec. 27 with a left foot abductor hallucis strain.
According to Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Centers, it’s similar to plantar fasciitis: “The abductor hallucis muscle is located on the inner border of the foot. This muscle bends the big toe and moves it out to the side. More importantly, it supports the medial longitudinal arch, located on the inside border of the foot. The abductor hallucis is a common area for people to experience foot pain. However, it is often mistaken for other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis.”
Once Shannon is back, Minnesota’s bench rotation could feature him along with Naz Reid, Ayo Dosunmu, Bones Hyland, Jaylen Clark, and Joan Beringer. Minnesota is also expected bring back point guard Mike Conley on the buyout market, and there are rumors that they could also sign Kyle Anderson.
Here’s a hypothetical starting five, followed by the top bench options and then the possible options off the bench once the buyout market is settled.
Starters
Top bench options
Possible options
Anthony Edwards
Naz Reid
Terrence Shannon Jr.
Jaden McDaniels
Ayo Dosunmu
Jaylen Clark
Julius Randle
Bones Hyland
Joan Beringer
Rudy Gobert
Kyle Anderson
Donte DiVincenzo
Mike Conley
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