Enrique Freeman returns to Timberwolves on two-way deal

Minnesota had 1 two-way slot open and a list of names to look at. In the end the Wolves went back to the guy they already knew.

Jon Krawczynski

@JonKrawczynski

The Wolves are bringing back Enrique Freeman on a 2-way contract, per source. They had one open 2-way, looked at several options. Freeman is well-liked and has familiarity with the system. He will begin in Iowa.

Here's how fast this went. Minnesota waived Freeman on October 17 as the preseason wrapped up, which opened the two-way spot and let the front office see who else was out there. According to Hoops Rumors, the team still liked Freeman a lot when it cut him. They looked around for 10 days and decided the best option on the market was the one they had just let go.

If you don't know the name, Freeman went 50th overall to the Pacers in the 2024 draft out of Akron and spent his rookie year in Indiana. Minnesota signed him to a two-way deal in August 2025 and he stayed under contract the whole 2025-26 season, though he barely saw the NBA floor: 4 games, 13 points and 10 rebounds in 37 total minutes.

Iowa is where he actually made his case. Freeman played 39 G League games for the Iowa Wolves last season and put up 16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.2 minutes a night, shooting 54.2% from the field and 32.6% from 3. That's real production for a guy at the bottom of the roster, and it's why 'familiarity with the system' isn't just a polite line here. He knows what the G League staff wants and what the big club runs.

Let's be honest about what this is. This is not a move that changes Minnesota's season. It's roster maintenance, and good roster maintenance. Two-way spots are cheap insurance, and a reliable big who can walk into Iowa on day 1 and play 30-plus minutes is worth more than a flier on a stranger who needs a month to learn the playbook. The Wolves picked the safe option over chasing upside, and that's a defensible call.

Freeman joins center Rocco Zikarsky and guard Zyon Pullin as Minnesota's 3 two-way players, and per Hoops Rumors that leaves Toronto as the only team in the league with a two-way slot still open. Next up for Freeman is the Iowa season and the same job as last year: stay productive, stay ready, and be the first big called up when injuries pile up in Minneapolis.