A second-round draft pick often needs time to settle into the NBA. Johni Broome‘s first season took him through the Philadelphia 76ers and their G League affiliate, and a knee injury interrupted his progress. He has already produced at a high level against college and G League competition. What remains uncertain is whether he can earn a regular role against NBA players.
The Minnesota Timberwolves now have a chance to find out. They have agreed to a two-way deal with Broome, giving the former Auburn Tigers standout another opportunity to develop in the league.
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Timberwolves Add Johni Broome On A Two-Way Deal
Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) goes up for a layup over Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) as Auburn Tigers take on Purdue Boilermakers at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Auburn Tigers defeated Purdue Boilermakers 87-69. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Senior NBA insider Mike Scotto reported the agreement. Minnesota created the opening on November 3rd when it waived forward Enrique Freeman. The Timberwolves tried to bring in Norchad Omier, but that effort did not result in a signing. Omier later agreed to a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who officially signed him on November 6th.
Scotto shared the news through his official X account. He wrote, “The Minnesota Timberwolves and Johni Broome have agreed to a two-way deal, league sources told @hoopshype.”
Scotto also identified Broome as the 35th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He noted Broome’s SEC Player of the Year award and his consensus All-American honors.
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The report does not include contract terms. It describes an agreement rather than a formal announcement from the Timberwolves.
Even so, Broome’s arrival would give Minnesota another young frontcourt player to evaluate without using a standard roster contract.
Johni Broome’s Auburn Career Explains His Draft Value
Broome left Auburn with a strong college record. He averaged 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds across 36 games in the 2024-25 season. He also handed out 2.9 assists a night and blocked 2.1 shots. He shot 51% from the field and led the SEC in rebounding. He earned SEC Player of the Year and consensus First-Team All-American honors.
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He also won the Karl Malone Award and the Pete Newell Big Man Award. Auburn reached its first Final Four since the 2018-19 season with Broome leading the frontcourt.
Those numbers explain why Philadelphia selected him with the 35th pick. Broome could score near the basket and collect rebounds at both ends. He also protected the rim. He was more comfortable passing than many players at his position.
His NBA And G League Numbers Tell Different Stories
Broome’s rookie season showed how hard it can be to turn college success into NBA minutes. He played 11 regular-season games for Philadelphia, where he averaged 0.9 points and 1.5 rebounds in about five minutes a night. Most of his playing time came with the Delaware Blue Coats.
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His G League production was much stronger. Broome averaged 21.8 points across 26 appearances for Delaware. He added 8.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He also averaged 1.5 blocks. Earlier in February, he recorded a 50-point, 17-rebound game for the Blue Coats. A torn meniscus in his right knee interrupted that run. He underwent surgery in February and missed roughly seven weeks before becoming available for the playoffs.
Philadelphia did not use him in its first-round series against the Boston Celtics. His postseason minutes came only after the second-round series against the New York Knicks turned into a blowout. His path became less settled after the season. Philadelphia traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in July, and the Clippers, a team criticized for neglecting its young talent, waived him in September.
The Milwaukee Bucks signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal in October before waiving him on October 17th. Minnesota is now his next stop.
What Johni Broome Must Prove With Timberwolves
Broome’s best work comes inside near the basket. He can finish around the rim and score after offensive rebounds. He can also make passes from the post and block shots. Those skills give Minnesota a different type of frontcourt prospect to develop.
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His outside shooting needs work. Broome made 28.9% of his three-point attempts in the G League. That could limit how easily he fits beside Rudy Gobert, who also does most of his scoring near the basket. Minnesota already has young centers in Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky. Beringer has already shown signs of growth in a spot start against the Spurs. Broome will have to earn his place in a frontcourt group that has rebounded surprisingly well this season for the Timberwolves.
His passing gives the coaching staff another skill to work with. A big man who can move the ball after receiving it in the post can help keep an offense moving, even when he is not taking the shot. Broome needs to guard NBA players and improve his range. Until he does, that skill set will not earn him consistent minutes.
The Last Word
The Timberwolves have taken a low-risk route with a player whose college and G League results deserve another look. For a team that still must prove it is more than Anthony Edwards, that is a small bet with real upside. Broome’s next step is less about scoring 20 points. He must handle NBA defensive assignments and make quicker decisions. He also has to improve his outside shot.
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Those changes will decide whether this agreement becomes more than a short stop.
Featured Image: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
