The lure of potential silverware with the Minnesota Timberwolves keeps Joe Ingles in the NBA

Ahead of what could be his fifth Olympic Games, Joe Ingles is far from a spent force in the NBA, with Minnesota showing their trust in the veteran Aussie. He spoke about the move after the Boomers win over China in Melbourne.

Boomers veteran Joe Ingles joined a fourth NBA team in four years this week, the lure of more playing opportunity and potential silverware an irresistible draw to the rising Minnesota Timberwolves.

Following Thursday evening’s defeat of China in Melbourne, Ingles waxed lyrical on his new destination — a fourth Boomer to find a new NBA home in the past two weeks.

He’ll earn a tick over US$3.3 million and play an important role on and off the court for one of the best teams in the NBA.

“For me it was purely more a basketball decision,” Ingles, who was always a chance to make a move after the Magic declined the player option on the second year of his deal, said.

“Speaking to (Wolves coach Chris) Finch and to (basketball boss) Tim Connolly and just hearing the role that they expect me to have … I know Orlando would have been different.

“They’ve got that really young group and drafted another three-four (Tristan da Silva, pick No. 18), so (I) probably wouldn’t have played much at all.”

Joe Ingles Catch-and-Shoot 3P%

2023-24: 53.3% (57/107)
Career: 43.5% (859/1974)

Ingles is an outstanding spot-up shooter, a skill that will fit well in Minnesota pic.twitter.com/JE7fJT2zCX

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) July 3, 2024

Ingles spent eight years in Utah before stops in Milwaukee, then Orlando and, while he “really just wanted to play for one team”, that’s a rarity in the NBA.

He’ll reunite with long-time Jazz teammates Rudy Gobert — a three-time NBA defensive player of the year and potential Paris Olympic combatant with France — and Mike Conley, and join emergent superstar Anthony Edwards and star big man Karl-Anthony Towns in a bid to reach the NBA promised land.

“Obviously I know Rudy and I’ve always stayed in contact with Mike — his son and my daughter were in school together in Utah when we were there, so (I) know them really well,” he said.

“It’s exciting. It’s obviously a really good team and … understanding the role that they have for me — trying to help Rudy, trying to help Ant (Anthony Edwards), trying to help all these guys get better and hopefully go further.

“It was a basketball opportunity that was too good to give up.”

It’s the second successive off-season the Wolves attempted to lure the SA-born forward, who has played over 700 career NBA games.

Ingles in action against China as preparation ramps up for another Olympic Games. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

“They actually tried to get me last year,” he said.

“I guess a part of it is having the interest for more than just like, Kyle Anderson leaves (for Golden State) and it’s like ‘hey, you can help us’.

“Last year they went pretty hard as well and we decided Orlando.

In typical Jingles style, he revealed long-time agent Mark Bartelstein sealed the deal with the Western Conference finalists while the 36-year-old slept.

“I had some conversations with a few different people and actually woke up and I had no idea it was official, my agent just went and did it himself,” Ingles said.

“I’ve been with him 18 years, we’d have conversations and the rest of it was kind of up to him.”

Ingles lands in Minnesota in a whirlwind period for green and gold hoopers in the NBA, following fellow Boomers Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City to Chicago), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans to Atlanta) and Josh Green (Dallas to Charlotte) in finding new playing homes.

Originally published as The lure of potential silverware with the Minnesota Timberwolves keeps Joe Ingles in the NBA