Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberpups Tracker: Jan. 21 edition

Published Jan. 21, 2016 3:00 p.m. ET

Ryan Lund

The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the most exciting collections of young players on an NBA roster. Every Thursday, FOX Sports North tracks the progress of those on the Timberwolves who are in their first or second season in the league.

This is the 10th edition of the 2015-16 Timberpups Tracker, covering Jan. 15-20.

PER -- Player Efficiency Rating: A measure of per-minute production standardized such that the league average is 15.

TS% -- True Shooting Percentage: A measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.

USG% -- Usage Percentage: An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor.

ORtg -- Offensive Rating: An estimate of points produced per 100 possessions.

DRtg -- Defensive Rating: An estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions.

VORP -- Value over Replacement Player: A box score estimate of the points per 100 TEAM possessions that a player contributed above a replacement-level (-2.0) player, translated to an average team and prorated to an 82-game season.

ANDREW WIGGINS (age 20, second season)

Statistical season averages (last week): 20.9 points (21.8), 3.9 rebounds (4.5), 1.9 assists (3.0), 0.5 blocks (0.25), 35.0 minutes (35.8), 44.3 FG% (49.3), 24.5 3PT% (12.5)

Advanced stats, season: 16.4 PER, .522 TS%, 28.6 USG%, 103 ORtg, 110 DRtg, -0.1 VORP

Notable: Wiggins was the Wolves' top offensive threat again this week, pouring in 20.9 points per game after logging 25 points against Oklahoma City on Sunday. His 3-point shooting was way, way down this week, as he was 0-6 through three games before hitting one of his two attempted triples in a loss to Dallas on Wednesday.

ZACH LAVINE (age 20, second season)

Statistical season averages (last week): 12.0 points (8.0), 3.1 rebounds (2.8), 3.1 assists (2.8), 0.1 blocks (0.25), 23.1 minutes (20.8), 41.5 FG% (50.0), 32.5 3PT% (42.9)

Advanced stats, season: 13.9 PER, .504 TS%, 26.9 USG%, 98 ORtg, 109 DRtg, 0.0 VORP

Notable: LaVine's resurgence hit a snag this week, as he followed up solid outings against Phoenix and Oklahoma City with a pair of disappointing showings against New Orleans and Dallas. LaVine picked up just eight total points in two games during the back half of The Wolves' four-game swing, despite shooting at a reasonable clip.

ADREIAN PAYNE (age 24, second season)

Statistical season averages (last week): 2.7 points (4.0), 2.0 rebounds (0.5), 0.5 assists (0.5), 0.3 blocks (0.00), 9.5 minutes (5.0), 40.7 FG% (100), 38.1 3PT% (N/A)

Advanced stats, season: 7.4 PER, .475 TS%, 16.6 USG%, 87 ORtg, 105 DRtg, -0.2 VORP

Notable: Payne's playing time was down, as he sat for losses to the Thunder and the Mavericks, and was on the court for just 10 minutes through four games. Payne was productive off the bench against New Orleans, picking up six points through just under seven minutes.

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 20, first season)

Statistical season averages (last week): 15.9 points (17.5), 9.7 rebounds (12.5), 1.3 assists (1.8), 1.8 blocks (2.50), 29.3 minutes (31.0), 52.3 FG% (49.1), 38.9 3PT% (60.0)

Advanced stats, season: 21.5 PER, .575 TS%, 24.4 USG%, 108 ORtg, 102 DRtg, 1.2 VORP

Notable: Towns caught fire against Dallas, scoring 27 points and adding a career-high 17 rebounds, and now has a rookie-leading 12 double-doubles on the season.

NEMANJA BJELICA (age 27, first season)

Statistical season averages (last week): 4.6 points (5.0), 3.5 rebounds (2.8), 1.4 assists (2.0), 0.4 blocks (1.00), 18.7 minutes (20.0), 42.8 FG% (33.3), 37.5 3PT% (33.3)

Advanced stats, season: 9.7 PER, .552 TS%, 11.7 USG%, 108 ORtg, 107 DRtg, 0.5 VORP

Notable: Bjelica struggled from the field through four games, going just 6-for-18 despite an uptick in playing time. He's been the Timberwolves' second-best assist man in recent days however, picking up four against Dallas and another three against the Suns.

TYUS JONES (age 19, first season)

Statistical season averages (last week): 3.0 points (N/A), 1.7 rebounds (N/A), 1.6 assists (N/A), 0.1 blocks (N/A), 10.9 minutes (N/A), 35.5 FG% (N/A), 50.0 3PT% (N/A)

Advanced stats, season: 8.4 PER, .407 TS%, 18.9 USG%, 83 ORtg, 107 DRtg, -0.1 VORP

Notable: Jones was inactive again this week.