New Minnesota Timberwolves president Gersson Rosas says small forward Robert Covington is on pace to be ready for the start of the 2019-20 season.

Covington underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on April 1. The swingman last played on Dec. 31.

The Timberwolves acquired Covington from the Philadelphia 76ers in the Jimmy Butler trade in November. He averaged 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22 games with Minnesota while shooting 43.3 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from beyond the arc and 77.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Minnesota missed the playoffs in 2018-19. The Timberwolves have some decisions to make this summer after making Ryan Saunders the full time head coach. The future of point guard Jeff Teague and small forward Andrew Wiggins are up in the air, as both players are on bad contracts. Unrestricted free agent guard Derrick Rose could leave the Timberwolves since he'll turn 31 in October and might want to join a contender.

Surrounding All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns with shooters and guys who can penetrate defenses seems to be a priority for the Timberwolves. When he's healthy, Covington is a sound 3-and-D wing who makes winning plays.

Covington didn't play a single game under Saunders after the Timberwolves fired Tom Thibodeau. The bone bruise Covington dealt with was more serious than expected.