The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially signed Duke product Isaiah Evans to a four-year contract. The deal locks in the 33rd overall pick from the 2026 NBA Draft. This signing was finalized this past weekend, after Evans’ draft rights were acquired by the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves may have gotten a steal with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft when they took Isaiah Evans out of Duke after he spent two seasons with the Blue Devils.
Evans' contract details include guaranteed years and a team option for the fourth season. As a sophomore at Duke, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged 15.0 points per game, shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc. His freshman year saw him hit an even more efficient 41.6% from three-point range, showcasing a consistent perimeter stroke across his collegiate career. While skinny, Evans has the kind of skillset that could work out in the NBA.
For a Timberwolves team featuring established perimeter talents like LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, Evans' fit is less about immediate offensive burden and more about specialized, high-leverage shooting. His offensive skillset, particularly his quick-trigger shooting, could be invaluable. The Wolves need bench firepower that can get hot in a hurry, and Evans demonstrated that capacity at Duke, especially as a sophomore where he averaged 15 points per game. His ability to space the floor will be crucial for a team built around the slashing and playmaking of Edwards and Ball.
The wider context of this signing points to a strategic long-term play by the Minnesota front office. Evans, initially projected as a first-round talent, surprisingly fell to the second round, presenting a potential steal for the Timberwolves, acquiring a player with perceived first-round value at a second-round price. The team's recent acquisition of LaMelo Ball and Josh Green signals a clear direction towards building a dynamic, perimeter-oriented attack.
Now that the contract is official, Evans' immediate focus shifts to the court. He’ll participate in Summer League, where he will begin to acclimate to the NBA game and the Timberwolves' system. While he won't be expected to contribute immediately to a rotation that includes Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, his development over the next year will be critical. The team option in his fourth year means the Timberwolves have time to evaluate his progress and physical development. The timeline for Evans to become a consistent rotation player likely extends into his second or third season, with his shooting being his clearest path to early minutes.
