Dunking With Wolves
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The Iowa Energy will be great for the Minnesota Timberwolves

ByBrian Sampson|
Aug 19, 2016; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota United owner Bill McGuire (left) shakes hands with another Minnesota United owner Glen Taylor (right) during a press conference at CHS Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota United owner Bill McGuire (left) shakes hands with another Minnesota United owner Glen Taylor (right) during a press conference at CHS Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Iowa Energy will help the Minnesota Timberwolves streamline talent to their NBA roster.

Today, May 3, the Minnesota Timberwolves officially announced that Glen Taylor is purchasing majority ownerships of the Development League Team the Iowa Energy.

While this purchase has long been rumored, it officially marks the Timberwolves as the 25th NBA team to own or operate an NBA Development League affiliate.

The Energy are located in Des Moines, IA, which is only about three and a half hours away from Minneapolis. This means that the players are practically in driving distance if they get called up.

The proximity creates a huge advantage for the Timberwolves, who can closely monitor what is going on in Iowa.

It will also allow Tom Thibodeau to dictate the Energy on the system they want to use and the type of players they are looking for. This will ensure that the Timberwolves can hold more power over the team and, in return, focus on specific aspects of developing players.

Thibodeau will also get an inside look and scouting reports on the players in regards to everything they do, including practice, games, nightlife etc.

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The D-league, which is changing its name to the Gatorade League, or G-League, next season, has proven to be an important resource and commodity for NBA teams.

This will continue to be true for the Timberwolves, especially with the rule changes that go into effect next season.

Beginning next year, teams will have two extra roster spots they can use for two-way contracted players, bringing their total roster up to 17 players.

These two-way players can go back and forth between the D-League and the NBA at the team’s discretion. This ensures that the D-League teams act more like a minor league team than they have in the past.

Acquiring the Energy is a good step, however small, in the right direction for the Timberwolves. They are a little behind times as it took them a while to gain a D-League team. Although, better late than never.

Next: Should the Timberwolves pursue Dwight Howard?

Hopefully, the Minnesota Timberwolves are able to use the Iowa Energy to build some depth their team so sorely lacked last season.