The Timberwolves had the NBA’s third-worst record in 2019/20 and the sixth-worst record in ’20/21. However, there was an internal belief entering the season that the team was capable of taking a step forward with all its key players finally healthy and available.
Through 15 games, five of Minnesota’s seven most-used players – including Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards – have yet to miss a game, and the other two – D’Angelo Russell and Patrick Beverley – have been sidelined for just two games apiece.
But the team’s good health luck hasn’t translated into a better start. Even after wins against Sacramento and San Antonio this week, the Wolves are just 6-9, despite playing 10 of their first 15 games at home. Their home record includes losses to New Orleans and Orlando.
It’s too early in the season to draw any sweeping conclusions about the state of the Timberwolves, but this is a big year for the team, which has playoff aspirations. If the core that Gersson Rosas spent two years building, including Towns, Edwards, Russell, and Malik Beasley, isn’t good enough to enter the playoff mix, new head of basketball operations Sachin Gupta will be under pressure to make additional roster moves.
Minnesota has been repeatedly cited as a potential suitor for Sixers star Ben Simmons, though it’s unclear if the Wolves have the assets necessary to bring Philadelphia to the table without including Towns or Edwards in their offer.
In his latest The Scoop w/Doogie podcast, Darren Wolfson of SKOR North mentioned a pair of shot-blocking big men that could be fits for the Wolves: Myles Turner and Chris Boucher.
There’s no indication that Turner is available at this point, but Wolfson says there are those in the Wolves’ front office who are fans of the Pacers center (hat tip to HoopsHype). Boucher, who is on an expiring deal with the Raptors, may be a more realistic target at this point, though he wouldn’t be the same sort of difference-maker as Turner.
With the Wolves looking to fight their way back to .500, we want to get your thoughts on the team. Do you believe in a core led by Towns and Edwards? Are Russell or Beasley long-term keepers? Does the roster need another impact player to become a legit playoff team, or is the current group capable of making it? If a trade is necessary, which players are the most desirable – and the most realistic – targets?
Head to the comment section to weigh in with your thoughts!
The roster construction is maddening, but I think we can still challenge for the play in spot. For God’s sake let’s drop the Simmons BS. He would be great on defense, but too much of a liability for the cost, especially at that god awful price. We already have DLO on a bad contract. We need a starter next to Towns or the play in is our best hope. Currently praying to win while being out rebounded every night (last night vs the Spurs isn’t going to happen often) is not sustainable. Vando is absolutely great to watch, but he adds so little on offense and can’t be a starter on a true playoff team, yet, if ever. Same with Jaden.
I love Turner and like Boucher and would deal anyone not named KAT, Ant, or Jaden. Hesitant about trading DLO only because Towns needs to stay happy, but I’d love to ditch him for a better on-court fit like Turner.
*would trade anyone not named KAT, Ant, or Jaden for Turner. I think Boucher would be a bit redundant with Naz, but would be a defensive upgrade, though we couldn’t keep him after this year with the raise he’s due (and matching salaries might be tough).
Poorly constructed roster, starting with building around two ‘buddies’. Who wants to join a team that is essentially like something you find on the playground, a clique that gets paid superstar money?
Seriously, this team will end up in Seattle, it is just a matter of time.
Wait, you team ARod lied to us??
You mean he WON’T keep the team in Minne??
Lol I hear you about everything you said, but we’re the…17th biggest market I think? A team absolutely needs to be in Seattle, I just don’t think Minne looses the Wolves for that to happen.
Every GM leaves their mark, and Rosas gave up a top 3 protected pick just to swap bad contacts, which I consider his legacy (in addition to the whole getting fired by a dysfunctional franchise thing). Yea, Ant could very well be his defining moment, but that or LaMelo we’re the only real options so I don’t give him much credit there.
We really have only 1 true PF in Vando, and that insanity has to change.
The Twin Cities is one of the 13 metropolitan areas in the US to have a team in all 4 major sports. It’s the 14th biggest market while Seattle is #12, so there’s no much difference in audience there.
MIN should trade Edwards to PHI for Ben… then MIN can have Ben/DLO/Beasley/Vanderbilt/KAT… much more competitive starting five & sure playoff team, I know many will go mad but right now Ben is a better player than Edwards, & I am not sure Edwards will be ever as good as Ben, all he does is shoot & a lot, with poor efficiency!
Finch may be over-encouraging Edwards… he sounds so player-friendly.
I just have not been accurate with this team… the stats are so confusing… for instance Naz Reid has a plus21 PER and minus21 on-off. Hard to make a conclusion.
Typical take from Don. Edwards salary is about 1/3 of Ben’s, they don’t come close to matching. Even if they did match, I doubt the Wolves would make that trade.
Wiggins 4th season
22 points
42%
33%
Edwards 2nd season
22 points
42%
33%
Wiggins plays better defense than Edwards