The Minnesota Timberwolves are making strategic moves to bolster their roster for the upcoming 2025–26 NBA season by signing two promising young players, Enrique Freeman and Tristen Newton, both on two-way contracts. These signings reflect the franchise's commitment to developing talent and enhancing depth as the team looks to build on its recent performances.
Enrique Freeman, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound rookie forward from the University of Akron, is eager to make his mark with the Timberwolves after a notable rookie season with the Indiana Pacers. Drafted 50th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Freeman’s journey has been one of perseverance and growth. Despite a challenging start, including watching from the bench as the Pacers made an unexpected run to the NBA Finals, Freeman has embraced the learning experience and remains determined to contribute significantly at the NBA level.
Freeman’s rookie season saw him appear in 22 games for Indiana, averaging 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in just over eight minutes per game, shooting .432 from the field. His performance peaked in the regular-season finale on April 13, 2025, where he posted season highs of eight points and eight rebounds during a double-overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, securing Indiana’s 50th win of the season. Moreover, Freeman shone in the G League with the Indiana Mad Ants, starting all 14 games and averaging an impressive 17.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting .538 from the field.
Freeman’s time with the Pacers was marked by memorable moments, including the team’s upset over the top-seeded Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers won the series 4-1, highlighted by Tyrese Haliburton’s dramatic game-winning three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in Game 2, capping a remarkable 20-point comeback. Freeman, who hails from Cleveland, found himself caught between competing loyalties but embraced his role as a competitor fully. “At the time it wasn’t there because you shift your mindset as a competitor,” Freeman reflected. “But deep down in my heart … my family, they’re torn.”
Freeman’s development continued through the 2025 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in nearly 28 minutes per game, shooting an efficient .725 from the field. He emphasized his strengths, saying, “For me it was the efficiency and playing hard. Those are always the two you can’t question about me.” Despite his promising progress, the Pacers opted to sign guard Taelon Peter, their 54th overall pick in 2025, to their final two-way roster spot, leading Freeman to seek new opportunities with the Timberwolves.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had previously praised Freeman’s versatility, describing him as “a piece of clay that can be molded on a lot of levels” and highlighting his potential to play both power forward and small forward roles. This adaptability aligns well with the modern NBA’s emphasis on positionless basketball, a style Freeman is eager to embrace. “Most of the year I played the 4 and then in Summer League I had to play a little small ball because of our roster,” he explained. “A lot of the game now, there’s still positions, but you have to be positionless.”
Freeman’s mother, Tania Torres, a Cleveland police officer, expressed pride in her son’s achievements during his rookie season. “It was mind-blowing. It was incredible. It felt like it was a movie,” she said. “For him to accomplish all that in his first year was amazing. It takes a lot of players all their careers to get there.”
On the other hand, Minnesota is also bringing back guard Tristen Newton on a two-way deal, a move confirmed by league sources and reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Newton, 24, was originally drafted 49th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2024 but was waived midway through the season. Minnesota claimed him off waivers on January 3, 2025, and retained his two-way status through the remainder of the season.
Newton’s NBA minutes have been limited, with just eight games played between Indiana and Minnesota, averaging 0.4 points in two minutes per game. However, his G League performances have been impressive, showcasing his all-around game. Splitting time between the Iowa Wolves and Indiana Mad Ants, Newton appeared in 24 games, averaging 16.5 points, 6.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game in 35.7 minutes. His campaign included four double-doubles and two triple-doubles, highlighting his versatility and impact on the court.
During the 2025 NBA Summer League, Newton continued to impress by averaging 9.2 points while shooting 41.9% from the field and an impressive 47.6% from three-point range across five games. His improved perimeter shooting and ability to orchestrate the offense have made him a development priority for Minnesota’s coaching staff as they look to build a competitive and dynamic backcourt.
Two-way contracts allow players like Freeman and Newton to split time between the NBA and G League, with a maximum of 50 NBA games, providing valuable opportunities to develop and contribute when called upon. For the Timberwolves, these signings represent a strategic investment in young talent with the potential to grow into key rotation players.
Both Freeman and Newton’s journeys underscore the challenges and opportunities faced by late second-round picks fighting to establish themselves in the NBA. Freeman’s story is one of resilience, coming from a walk-on college player to a professional on the rise, while Newton’s path exemplifies the importance of seizing developmental opportunities and refining skills to meet NBA demands.
As the Timberwolves prepare for the new season, the addition of Freeman and the retention of Newton signal a clear focus on cultivating a versatile, hardworking roster. Freeman’s high motor and positionless play style complement Newton’s playmaking and defensive instincts, potentially providing Minnesota with valuable depth and energy off the bench.
With the 2025–26 season on the horizon, Timberwolves fans will be watching closely to see how these two young players evolve and contribute. Their progress will not only reflect their personal growth but also the effectiveness of Minnesota’s developmental approach as the team aims to climb higher in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
