Former Maryland forward Jake Layman signs with Minnesota Timberwolves as free agent

After three years with the Portland Trail Blazers, Jake Layman has found a new home.

The former Maryland forward has signed a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves for three years and $11.5 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Portland offered Layman a qualifying offer earlier this week, but he elected to join Minnesota instead. SB Nation named him one the seven biggest sleepers in free agency this summer.

The move comes after Layman’s best year in the league. He made huge strides, averaging 18.7 minutes, 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds on 50.9 percent shooting from the floor and a 32.6 percent mark on three-pointers. He had a huge stretch in January and February, producing 11.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He also had six games with at least 15 points during that span.

But when it came time for the playoffs, Layman barely saw any playing time. The Blazers acquired Enes Kanter and Rodney Hood in February, and the pair took a lot of his minutes.

The 6’9 forward was drafted as the 47th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic and immediately traded to Portland. Through his first two seasons in the league, Layman only averaged 5.9 minutes, 1.6 points and 0.6 rebounds on 29.5 percent shooting and 22.8 percent from behind the arc.

At Maryland, Layman was one of 12 players in program history to record at least 1,400 points and 600 rebounds over his career. He also helped guide the Terps to their first Sweet 16 since 2003.

Now he’ll look to expand on a career season with the Wolves, where he should have a chance to earn more minutes. Layman joins a roster that features Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Robert Covington, among others. Minnesota is coming off a 36-46 season, and hopes Layman can be part of a return to the playoffs.