4:14 pm: As expected, the Timberwolves confirmed in a press release that they’ve waived Newton, Johnson, Pullin, and Bernard. The team put out a separate announcement confirming Juzang’s conversion to a two-way deal.
3:34 pm: The Timberwolves are converting Johnny Juzang from his Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way deal on the heels of his strong preseason, reports Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Juzang, who signed with Minnesota in September after being waived by Utah in June, put up 13.8 points in just 17.6 minutes per game in five preseason appearances for the team. His shooting line was a scorching .500/.483/.833, and he also grabbed 4.2 rebounds per contest.
The Timberwolves didn’t have a two-way spot open for Juzang, so the club has to make a cut. Tristen Newton is the odd man out and will be waived, according to Chris Hine of The Star Tribune (Twitter link).
Newton, the 49th pick in the 2024 draft, accepted his two-way qualifying offer in September after spending his rookie year on a two-way deal. A 6’5″ guard, Newton was much quieter during the preseason than Juzang, averaging 5.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game while shooting 38.9% from the floor.
Newton isn’t the only Timberwolf being cut ahead of the season. Veteran forward Alize Johnson is also being placed on waivers, tweets Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Camp invitees Zyon Pullin and Jules Bernard, who are also on non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts, seem likely to be waived too, though that hasn’t been confirmed yet.