Photo: Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have added free-agent guard Nojel Eastern to their roster, the team announced in an official press release.

While the financial specifics of the agreement were not disclosed, the deal is widely expected to be a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract.

Eastern, a former standout at Purdue University, has spent the last two seasons with the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G League affiliate.

During the 2024–25 campaign, he appeared in 29 games, averaging 12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals over 30 minutes per game.

His shooting splits were impressive, with a .514 field-goal percentage, .419 from three-point range, and .744 from the free-throw line, showcasing his efficiency on both ends of the floor.

A two-time Big Ten All-Defensive honoree in 2019 and 2020, Eastern is likely to continue developing within the Timberwolves organization. He previously represented Minnesota in the Las Vegas Summer League in July, further solidifying his ties to the team.

Under an Exhibit 10 contract, Eastern is eligible for a bonus of up to $85,300 on top of his base G League salary if he is waived by the Timberwolves and subsequently spends at least 60 days with the Iowa Wolves during the 2025–26 season.

With this signing, Minnesota now has 19 players under contract. Of those, 13 hold guaranteed deals, Bones Hyland is on a partially guaranteed pact, three players have two-way contracts, and Johnny Juzang and Nojel Eastern occupy non-guaranteed deals.

The addition of Eastern provides the Timberwolves with added depth and versatility at the guard position while maintaining flexibility for roster moves during the upcoming season.