As first reported by HoopsHype, the Timberwolves have reached a contract agreement with free-agent combo guard Maurice Ager, who is set to join the team for training camp; SB Nation Minnesota independently confirmed the story through a source close to the situation.
The Dallas Mavericks made Ager, 26, the 28th overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, but he struggled to find his niche in the NBA. In three seasons split between the Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets, Ager shot 32.6 percent from the field and averaged only two points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. His lack of offensive production became problematic, as he was meant to be a shoot-first sparkplug at the NBA level, based on his 19.3 points per game average in his final collegiate season at Michigan State.
However, Ager has rebranded himself as a combo guard by improving his passing skills. Filling that role last season for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League, Ager averaged 3.4 assists per game, on top of 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 47.6 percent shooting. The source says Timberwolves management watched film of those D-League performances and was impressed enough to invite him to camp.
Ager, who is 6-foot-5, nearly signed a training-camp contract with the New York Knicks last month, according to the source, but the deal fell through.
Minnesota could use another versatile guard like Ager. Second-year players Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington join veterans Luke Ridnour and Sebastian Telfair as the only guards on the roster.