Ex-Jazz Fan-Favorite Reunites With Old Friends in Minnesota

Utah Jazz will see some familiar faces when the Minnesota Timberwolves come to town.

May 3, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) defends Orlando Magic guard Joe Ingles (7) during the second quarter of game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Another ex-Jazzman will be playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves next season. According to ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Joe Ingles has agreed to a one-year contract and will be reunited with Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley.

Free agent F Joe Ingles has agreed on a one-year deal to join the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. Ingles reunites with his old Jazz teammates Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley Jr. pic.twitter.com/IcZUK2G4Qv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2024

Ex-Jazz players suiting up in a Timberwolves uniform is becoming a reoccurring theme. Not only did Gobert and Conley play for Minnesota last year, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker had his best season as a pro under Head Coach Chris Finch.

It feels like it was a long time ago, but Ingles is only two years removed from his last season in Salt Lake City. He spent the 2022-23 season with the Milwaukee Bucks and last year played a backup role for the Orlando Magic. In 68 contests, he averaged 4.4 points and 3 assists per game. The Magic lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.

Ingles is getting a little long in the tooth, but he still has the ability to space the floor. He shot 43.5% from downtown during the 2023-24 season. However, at the age of 36, he struggles on the defensive side of the court. This late in his career, he likely won't see much time on the court. Just this last season, he averaged a career-low 17.2 minutes per game.

Ingles will always be a fan favorite in Utah. He spent eight years in Salt Lake City, and he was often the glue that helped keep the team together. This move to Minnesota is going to put Jazz fans in a difficult situation. 

With three likable ex-Jazzmen on Minnesota's roster now, rooting against the Timberwolves moving forward will be difficult. Utah is in possession of the Timberwolves' first-round pick in 2025, and how they perform will directly affect the Utah Jazz's draft. Either way, it's good to see Ingles still in the league for at least one more year. 

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