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Roster Review | Adreian Payne

PF-C | 6-11, 245 LBS

2014-15 season: 32 games, 22 starts, 6.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.3 BPG, 41.4 FG%, 11.1 3P%, 65.3 FT%

It was an odd rookie season for Adreian Payne.

He was drafted 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks, about where he was supposed to go in the draft according to experts.

Payne, though, played just three regular season games for the Hawks, scoring five total points. That probably was no fault of Payne’s, as Atlanta had a roster with Paul Millsap and Al Horford taking up minutes at the power forwad and center positions. He was able to play 17 games in the D-League and looked solid, averaging 12.9 points and 8.3 rebounds.

His trade to the Wolves really wasn’t all that surprising. Flip Saunders was high on Payne going into the draft and the team seriously considered taking him 13th overall (where Zach LaVine was picked). After speaking with friend and Payne’s former coach at Michigan State, Tom Izzo, Saunders decided to trade for Payne, hoping he could develop with the Wolves.

Payne got plenty of run with the Wolves after the injury bug hit Kevin Garnett and Anthony Bennett. He was up and down with Minnesota, which is expected of any rookie. Wolves fans learned that at the very least, Payne can jump out of the gym, is an above-average rebounder (although he tends to steal rebounds from teammates) and his stroke, despite shooting just 41.4 percent last season, looks good for a big man.

Year two will be crucial for Payne. Garnett is set to start at the power forward position, but there will be minutes available for Payne, Bennett, Karl-Anthony Towns, Gorgui Dieng, Nemanja Bjelica and Damjan Rudez to fight for.

The Wolves have a lot invested in Payne, as they gave up a future first-round pick for him. They’d love nothing more than to have Payne break through as the team’s future at the power forward position.

Top Three Games Of The Season

3.) April 10 at Los Angeles Lakers

This was the game of the rookies for the Wolves. Andrew Wiggins scored 29 points, LaVine added 18 while Payne had 14.

Payne was the most efficient, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. Payne also added seven rebounds, two assists and a steal. He did attempt a three-pointer, which is a shot that Payne enjoys shooting too often at a poor clip. In his defense, this attempt came with 48 seconds left when the team was down 10.

2.) March 22 vs. Charlotte Hornets

Payne was one of seven Wolves to hit double-digits. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the Wolves fell by 11 to the Hornets.

In 35 minutes, Payne finished with 13 points, a team-high nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. He shot 6-of-8 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. He had a +/- of +4, the best mark on the team.

1.)    March 9 at Los Angeles Clippers

The former Michigan State star’s best game came on March 9 in a loss to the Clippers. Payne finished with a team-high 16 points to go with a career-high 15 rebounds (impressively, five came on the offensive end). He also added two assists, two steals and one block. Payne shot 7-of-12 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line.

Top Offseason Objectives

Many thought that Payne could bring the Wolves some outside shooting after his arrival. After all, he did shoot 42.3 percent from deep during his senior season at Michigan State. That wasn’t exactly the case. Payne shot just 11 percent, although it was a small sample size with just nine attempts.

Fans would love if Payne could turn back into the stretch four/five he was in college. If the Summer League is any indication, it looks like Payne is making progress. In five games, Payne shot 37.5 percent from deep (6-of-15). Hopefully this is something that translates to the regular season.

As noted above, Payne unintentionally steals rebounds some teammates at times, which sometimes results in a turnover. He just needs to understand the situation and where he is in relation to his teammates. This also relates to some of the shots Payne takes in games. With time, he’ll become more familiar and comfortable in different situations. He’ll learn where he should be and what shots are smart shots in the offense. At least the coaching staff hopes he does.

They Said It…

“I’d rather be part of something I can contribute to and be a part of and help build. I’m able to do that here.” – Payne on his reaction to being traded to the Timberwolves.