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Minnesota Timberwolves free agency: Areas of Needs

By Andrew Neururer

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Dwyane Wade (3)attempt to steal the ball from Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Dwyane Wade (3)attempt to steal the ball from Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 3-Point Shooting

In today’s NBA we are seeing a lot of three point shooters, and team’s using it far to much. You almost have to use the three ball to win games as you can look at it as you can’t trade three points for two.

The chart provided by Basketball Reference clearly shows that the Timberwolves desperately need help in that area. Ranking dead last in three-point attempted at only 21 per game, cashing in on only seven of those.

Team Per Game Stats Table
Team 3P 3PA 3P%
Minnesota Timberwolves 7.3 21.0 .349
League Average 9.7 27.0 .358

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Keep in mind that the Wolves do not have LaVine anymore who chipped on average 2-6 attempts a night. Take him away and the Wolves best 3-point shooter is probably Karl-Anthony towns. Shooting a respectable 36 percent from three.

But many don’t view the Wolves new big three of Wiggins, Butler and KAT as players who are primary 3-point shooters. Sure, they can hit it from deep, but it’s also not where they are most effective.

Finding a player that can shoot three’s is something the team will need to address as one of the main priorities.

Right away the likes of Kyle Korver, J.J. Redick, CJ Miles, PJ Tucker, Kyle Lowry, Patty Mills, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and many other’s come to mind as possible solutions.

Players like Lowry, KCP, Redick will cost a lot of money. Making it not the best option for this team as money will soon be tight when Wiggins and Towns sign their max contracts.

Tucker, Miles, Mills, and Korver could come relatively cheap (compared to the likes of Redick and company.)

It’s been reported that the team has been interested in Lowry and Tucker. Mitch Lawrence delivered the news, stating that the team is targeting Lowry.

Both Tucker and Lowry are reliable from deep (both shot over 40%) and can play lockdown defense. Tucker would be a better add just because he is a cheaper option for the team. Adding Lowry would cause an even bigger burden on the depth situation. As well as Rubio can certainly start for the team, especailly with everything he does to help the team.

The team will undoubtedly go out and grab 3-point shooters. Without LaVine on the team, the Wolves are digging themselves in a deeper hole in that aspect.