Summary

Napier is a score-first combo guard that had his best year in '17-'18 with the Trailblazers. Standing only 6'1" and slender, Napier has never had the physicality to finish well at the rim, which has been a big weakness for him at the offensive end. However, Napier has some pick-and-roll ability to create shots off the dribble, and has at times hit them at a good rate.

 

After being traded to the Wizards, Napier played well in a backup point guard role, and could compete with Ish Smith next season if the Wizards re-sign him. However, may choose to find another team as the primary backup point guard.

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Cap Considerations

Napier will be an unrestricted free agent with a $2.2 million cap hold and Early Bird rights. Since Napier's cap hold is only $1.6 million, the Timberwolves could keep his cap hold on the books, use their remaining cap space to sign free agents (if they operate under the cap), and then bring Napier back using his Early Bird rights. If Napier is brought back using Early Bird rights rather than cap space, the Timberwolves will be limited to paying him a starting salary of up to 105% of the average salary this past season (roughly $10 million), which should be more than enough unless he has a breakout year.

 

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Napier as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him. He could also potentially be had at the minimum salary.