The Minnesota Timberwolves have an exciting squad ahead of the 2025 Summer League, but Terrence Shannon Jr. will be playing under heavy pressure.
Summer League Coach Sees Terrence Shannon Jr. As The Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a promising 2025 Summer League campaign ahead, which is headlined by returning sophomores Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. They are also joined by their rookie big man, Joan Beringer.
This will be a good opportunity for the Timberwolves' regular players to establish themselves, especially with Shannon being tapped as the number one option ahead of the tournament in Las Vegas.
At 24, Shannon was an older rookie playing for the Timberwolves. That helped him adjust to the league easier, which has made him a valuable role player for the team.
Coach Chris Finch trusted him enough to be part of the Timberwolves' rotation in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That is a huge display of trust, which should carry over to the Summer League and the 2025-26 regular season.
Related: Terrence Shannon Jr. Can Play A Bigger Role For Minnesota In The 2025-26 Season
Shannon Will Play A Monumental Role In The Summer League
Shannon is motivated to perform for the Timberwolves in the Summer League. He wants to attack every opportunity and establish himself as a long-term option for the Timberwolves.
Now that Nickeil Alexander-Walker left the team, there is an open spot in the rotation. Shannon is the most natural fit, even if Jaylen Clark also plays within that newly vacated role.
Who’s a player you believe is poised to breakout in the ‘25-26 season?
— nmz (@nmzhoops) July 7, 2025
I’ll start, Terrence Shannon Jr.
Let’s hear the names.
This kind of competition is good for the Timberwolves, as everyone is motivated to contribute. However, Shannon is the favored player, at least in the 2025 Summer League, according to coach Kevin Hanson.
"We expect him to be our leading scorer, that would be my guess, but we really want to see him defend," Hanson said after a practice with the Summer League team. "We’re going to put some tough tasks, and we want to see him take those tasks on while scoring as well."
The Timberwolves Will Have A Fresh Squad In The 2025-26 Squad
The Timberwolves will bring in most of their core from the past two seasons back for the 2025-26 season. However, they will have a new look due to Alexander-Walker's exit. He played a big role as a backup guard, but Shannon will likely take over from him.
This is a significant opportunity for Shannon, and he will play with his energetic approach to basketball. The rest of the team should be fine within their roles, but replacing Alexander-Walker from within is an inspired choice because Shannon, Clark, and Rob Dillingham are all motivated.
Terrence Shannon Jr on Coach Kevin Hanson he expects TJ to lead the team in scoring this summer
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) July 6, 2025
“It just goes to the work I’ve been putting in. It shows how much Coach Kev trusts me with the team. But yeah(smiling) I’m going to showcase everything I’ve been working on and yall… pic.twitter.com/AoD4RA0jly
By continuing his approach to the sport, Shannon has secured a place within Finch's rotation. He is the prototypical energy guy that Finch loves having on the roster, but he combines that with offensive potential.
The Timberwolves should have good depth again, which should be significant for Shannon, as he and the rest of the players are ready.
Related: Rob Dillingham Gets Huge Support Surge After Timberwolves Drafted Two Big Men
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
