Roster Review | Brandon Rush

72 games, 25 starts, 4.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 42.7 FG%, 41.4 3P%, 64.3 FT%

The Minnesota Timberwolves went out and accomplished a couple of goals when they signed Rush this offseason. The Wolves got themselves a shooter, something they desperately needed.

Rush is a lifetime 40.3 percent 3-point shooter on 4.5 attempts per 36 minutes. The Wolves shot just 33.8 percent last season, ranking 25th in the league.

He should be able to help immediately in that regard. The team also gets a solid player off the bench who has been around a winning culture for the last two seasons in Golden State. Having Kris Dunn, Rush and Shabazz Muhammad coming off the bench gives the Wolves a better scoring punch than the second unit could throw last season. In 2015-16, most of the pressure was on Muhammad to score, which wasn’t fair to him.

One concern for Rush is perhaps his health. Rush has torn his ACL twice and that caused him to miss virtually the whole 2012-13 season and a big chunk of the 2013-14 season. While there will always be concerns with knee injuries, especially ACL injuries, it looks like Rush is as healthy as somebody can be after two ACL injuries.

It should be promising for Wolves fans that Rush played in 72 games (his most since 2009-10) last season, starting in 25 (also most since 2009-10). He played 14.7 minutes per game last season, which is about what he'll be expected to contribute to the Wolves in 2016-17.

3.) Nov. 28 vs. Sacramento Kings

In this 120-101 home win over the Kings, Rush got the start and played an efficient 19 minutes, finishing with 16 points (second on team) to go with three rebounds and an assist. He shot 5-for-8 from the field, 4-for-5 from the 3-point line and a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

2.) Jan. 25 vs. San Antonio Spurs

Rush came off the bench in this 120-90 blowout win over the Spurs and finished with 13 points in 17 minutes. Again, he was a nearly perfect shooter, shooting 5-for-6 from the field and 3-for-4 from the 3-point line. He also added three assists, two rebounds and a steal.

1.) Jan. 8 at Portland Trail Blazers

Rush’s best game of the season came in another start in which Rush was lights out from the field. In nearly 30 minutes, Rush finished with 20 points, shooting 8-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the 3-point line. He also added four rebounds, one steal and one block.

At this point in his career, Rush is who he is. He’s 31 years old and chances are he’s not going to add anything wild to his game.

He is, though, on a new team – his fourth team in eight seasons in the league. He should reach out to the coaching staff and his teammates to get a little bit of comfortability and familiarity before heading into training camp.

More than likely, Rush will come off the bench as another wing option next to Muhammad. The nice thing with Rush is that there’s some position flexibility. He can play the 2 and the 3, which means he can play with Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Muhammad if the team wants to play small ball and put Muhammad at the power forward.

He’s a solid 3-and-D player and gives the team much-needed shooting. The Wolves have guys that can shoot, but Rush is a shooter. There’s a difference.

Don’t sleep on Rush potentially starting at shooting guard. He’s a better defender than LaVine and gives the starting lineup some shooting. He’ll still be limited to 15-20 minutes, but similar to Kevin Garnett starting last season for his defense, Rush would do the same for his offense and shooting.

“We’re excited to have him as well. Again, where he’s coming from, a winning organization… He started 25 games for them last year. His versatility at 6’7, 6’8, and his ability on the defensive end. His ability to play multiple positions… The shooting was the main thing with him.” – Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau on Brandon Rush.