The first player power ranking of the year consists of current Timberwolves roster personnel, ranked from worst to best.
The NBA off-season has hit a slow patch with the exception of the recent Kyrie Irving debacle currently raging in Cleveland. Luckily, Timberwolves fans have had a lot to be thankful for since the end of the postseason.
So, what better time to do the first roster power ranking of the year?!?
Since we aren’t in the regular season, this edition will take into account career statistics and estimated playing time when ranking the players currently on the roster. With eleven guaranteed contracts, the Timberwolves’ front office will undoubtedly be looking to fill a few more roster spots.
Tom Thibodeau has a history of playing his starters long minutes. However, this off-season Thibodeau has added players that he seems to trust, and that may extend the use of the bench.
In addition to the off-season additions, a few familiar faces may be looking to gain a larger role as well with the team. This year will mark the first time in many of our current players tenure in which the head coach will be the same as the previous year.
A second year under Tom Thibodeau should hopefully yield much better results on the defensive side of the ball. The Timberwolves were ranked within the bottom five of the NBA for team defensive efficiency last year.
With a few new faces and some old ones the Timberwolves will be looking to make it back to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
Without further ado, let’s jump right into the countdown.
11. Cole Aldrich
Minnesota native Cole Aldrich has been the center of speculation for many trade rumors this off-season despite playing only one year for the Timberwolves.
The reason being, well, he didn’t do much off the bench last year. When looking back on last year, many fans know that the bench was a big Achilles’ heel and Aldrich was part of that unit.
The Bloomington Jefferson graduate averaged just 1.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game off of the bench last year. For a bench unit that desperately needed some sort of offense outside of Shabazz Muhammad, Aldrich was unable to contribute.
Although Cole had a rough year, not everything was negative for the backup center. He earned the respect of Thibodeau enough to play him as the primary back up to KAT over Jordan Hill. In addition to this, Aldrich had a decent player efficiency rating of 12.7 last year.
When projecting this year’s lineup, Aldrich will most likely see even more bench time than last year. Cole may be moved before the All-Star break due to his contract status, as his 2017-18 deal is only partially guaranteed. Regardless, this may be the last year Aldrich plays for the Timberwolves — due in large part to the next player on our list.
10. Justin Patton
With the 16th-overall selection in the 2017 NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected the center out of Creighton. Standing at 7′-0″ tall, Justin Patton will be looking to take over the backup center position for the Wolves.
When talking about Patton, the words “exceptional athlete” were used to describe the big man in the midst of his scouting reports. Other tidbits of information seems to suggest that he is a really good finisher around the rim. Patton shot just under 75 percent around the rim, making him sixth in the nation for that category among prospects.
Pairing the rookie with Karl-Anthony Towns should let him grow naturally into the type of player that can compliment the team off the bench. Patton will have the chance to shadow one of the best players in the NBA at his very own position.
The other positive in Patton’s situation is that he will not be pushed to start sooner than he is capable. Hopefully, Patton will never have to start for the Timberwolves at the center position. With KAT ahead of the rookie on the depth chart, Patton can work on his game at his own pace with no lofty expectations.
There are a few areas of concern for the big man, the first being questions about his NBA rebounding ability. The second being his history of injuries. Patton already missed NBA Summer League, which is a great place for rookies to get solid reps in with the incoming freshman class.
When projecting his role with the team this year one would have to assume he will fit into the primary backup center position sometime this season.
9. Nemanja Bjelica
The former Euroleague MVP comes in at ninth on our current list. Bjelica has been up and down at times but he seems to have found the favor of head coach Tom Thibodeau…for now.
Thibodeau often used Bjelica in the fourth quarter towards the end of the season. On the surface, Bjelica didn’t have a standout year while averaging 6.2 points per game and shooting nearly 32 percent from behind the arc.
However, a closer look at the numbers behind Bjelica’s play show why Thibodeau was right to use him down the stretch. For much of the year Bjelica struggled to contribute, but in February his three-point percentage increased to nearly 48 percent.
Although his three-point percentage came down a bit in March, he ended up posting the best month of scoring for the whole year at 8.9 points per game off the bench. Bjelica seemed like he was finally starting to find his role for the Timberwolves off the bench.
Unless the Timberwolves make one more move for a player similar to Bjelica’s skillset, expect to see his NBA growth continue. Thibodeau trusted him, which is a rare thing when it comes to his bench.
When he first came to Minnesota, many expected Bjelica to be a consistent three-point shooter for a team in desperately need of one. If Bjelica can continue to build on the end of last year’s performance, then he will become a familiar face off the bench in key moments.
Projecting Bjelica’s minutes this year will be tough due to his past inconsistency, but assuming he picks up where he left off he should be a role player off the bench.
8. Tyus Jones
Yes, there’s yet another Minnesota native on the roster — but Timberwolves fans should keep a close eye on this one. Tyus Jones, the former NCAA National Champion from Duke, will have to play a vital role for the Timberwolves in his third NBA season.
With Ricky Rubio and Kris Dunn departing the team this off-season, Tyus is the last remaining point guard from 2016-17 still on the roster. Through his first two seasons, Jones was never really given the chance to play a consistent role for the team.
However, he seemed to excel at every opportunity he received and posted one of the best player efficiency ratings off of the bench last year.
The Duke product also won the NBA Summer League MVP award while averaging nearly 20 points per game last summer. Simply put, Tyus is a winner.
Jones has always been a smart point guard in terms of leadership. The Timberwolves were smart in keeping him on the roster, and my hope is that Thibodeau lets him handle the second unit.
And let’s be honest: it would be a great story as well.
The late great Flip Saunders saw something special in the kid, and many fans have seen flashes of what makes Tyus so exciting. The Minnesota kid could end-up being a vital piece on a contending team. Jones could excel at being given a clear role, and all things are pointing to him being the main backup point guard next year.
By giving Tyus control of the second unit, the Timberwolves could end up finding another playmaker with really good potential. Learning from Jeff Teague and being the leader off the bench will lead to Tyus Jones playing big minutes this year in a key role player position.
7. Jamal Crawford
Personally, I am very excited to see this guy hit the court for the Timberwolves this year. Jamal Crawford is a rare commodity in the NBA. He is the type of player that seems to get better with age, like a fine wine.
A 17-year vet, Crawford will be playing for his seventh NBA franchise this fall when he suits up for the Timberwolves. Jamal is a three-time NBA Sixth Man Award winner over the course of his career, with two of those awards coming in the last four seasons.
The front office went out and got a much more consistent bench presence than Shabazz with this signing. In addition to the consistency is Jamal’s veteran presence. Crawford has been to the playoffs many times over the course of his career, and his ability to come off the bench and score will help this team greatly.
Tom Thibodeau rarely trusts his bench, but something tells me he will make sure to get Jamal the minutes he deserves this year. Over the course of his last five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, Crawford averaged 15.3 points per game.
The Timberwolves have needed a shooter the likes of Crawford for some time, and it seems to be a perfect fit because he loves coming off of the bench. Jamal has also become a fan favorite everywhere he has gone because of his style of play. Timberwolves fans should be excited to see what this guy can do with such a young group. His veteran presence will be much needed off the bench alongside Tyus Jones in the back court.
Jamal will be projected to have a huge role with the team this next year. If all goes well and Crawford plays close to the level we have grown accustomed too, expect him to play a potential sixth-man role next year.
6. Taj Gibson
Yes, his new jersey number will be #67. A bit out there, but I’m okay with it.
Taj Gibson is a veteran Tom Thibodeau player. Anyone who follows the Timberwolves knows that Taj has been rumored to join the franchise for a while now. Reason being, of course, that Thibodeau loves using this guy on the court. And for good reason, too.
On paper, many people will wonder why I have Taj higher than Jamal Crawford, but that is because of how much Thibodeau will be using him on and off the court.
Taj Gibson has always put up average scoring numbers with 9.4 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game over the course of his career. However, it is what he gives the team off the court as well that will make him such as asset.
Gibson was a key role player on the successful Chicago Bulls teams of a few years ago. Those years were where Thibodeau showed how stifling his style of defense could be. Having a guy like Taj in the locker room will help the young guys buy into this system on the court as well.
The friendship between Jimmy Butler and Gibson is one that can help lead both by example on and off the court this next year. Look for Gibson to both start games and come off the bench depending on how the year goes. Gibson is a stifling defender who will bring a level of hustle needed by every team looking to contend in the NBA.
Depending on what Thibodeau does with his lineups, I expect to see Gibson be a starter for about half of the games this next season. If needed, he could also be a very valuable player coming in with the second unit.
On top of everything else, he will provide competition for the next guy on our list…
5. Gorgui Dieng
The man from Senegal has found a nice role with the Minnesota Timberwolves in his first four years with the team.
I doubt many people pointed to Dieng in the trade that brought him over to Minnesota and thought that he would make a bigger impact than Shabazz. But here we are in 2017 with Dieng on the roster and Shabazz no longer with the team.
Not only has Dieng been a solid player for the Timberwolves, he has worked his way into the starting unit. After starting 39 games two seasons ago, he followed that up with starting all 82 games this past year.
Gorgui has been one of the more consistent Wolves players over the last few years, and his durability is a welcome asset to his list of skills. Dieng has become a solid scorer and rebounder while playing next to KAT in the post. Additionally, his ability to shoot from the high post and beyond has improved in each of his years in the NBA.
The only knock on Gorgui is that some feel that he is not the perfect fit at power forward and would be better fitted with the second unit as another scoring option, largely from the five-spot.
Dieng is only 27 years old and is still learning with every new season. By adding Taj Gibson, the Timberwolves are making a smart mentorship that may pay off with Gorgui becoming an even better defensive option in the future.
Look for the Louisville product to start at least half of the games this season, he could split starts with Taj Gibson depending on the state of the bench throughout the year.
4. Jeff Teague
A former All-Star who has never missed the playoffs over the course of his eight year career. That is who Jeff Teague is, and that is who Minnesota Timberwolves fans will come to love this next year.
Teague is an upgrade at point guard. (I’m sorry Rubio fans, I loved him too.) However, this is a move that will benefit the team greatly and I am very excited to see Teague in a Timberwolves jersey this next season. Once people in Minnesota start to see how this guy runs an offense on the court, they will forgive the front office for moving Ricky.
Jeff will bring a style of play that is needed at the point guard position. He has never missed the playoffs and I think he may be playing with the most talented team to date this next year in Minnesota.
It’s exciting when a player of Teague’s caliber decides to sign with Minnesota. He signed the night of free agency starting because he wanted to play for the Timberwolves so badly. Make no mistake, this was the second-best addition the Timberwolves have made this off-season, and he may be one of the best free agent signings in Timberwolves history.
Teague often gets overlooked when we talk about players who will be vital to the team’s success this next year with the focus on the ‘Big Three’. However, Teague is as important if not more important in some ways because of how much weight will fall on his shoulders to be a leader on the court.
Look to Jeff Teague to be a vital starting star for the Timberwolves next year. He could put up numbers that mirrored his lone all-star appearance.
3. Andrew Wiggins
This picture should excite Timberwolves fans, because if this team continues to progress the way Wiggins has, then we could see him holding that thing in the near future.
Maple Jordan himself comes in at third on our current list. After just three years in the NBA, Wiggins has become one of the best young wings currently playing the game today. A special offensive talent, Wiggins averaged 23.6 points per game for the Timberwolves this last year.
His team is currently hard at work on a new maximum contract that would keep Andrew in Minnesota for the next five years. This should be great news to Timberwolves fans. Last time we had the max contract discussion was between Rubio and Love, we all know how that drama turned out.
Locking up Wiggins is important for both camps. The Timberwolves won’t have to worry about an impending free agency, and Wiggins will have his future secured with a nice pay day. Everyone walks away happy, but who wins? The fans, of course.
Because keeping Wiggins as part of this core long term is the most important thing ahead of KAT’s eventual contract extension. With Wiggins only 22 years old there are many things that he can add to both his offensive and defensive arsenal.
If Maple Jordan can increase his three-point accuracy the team will be in great shape going forward. Jimmy Butler can also help mentor Wiggins into becoming an elite defender on the wing alongside Butler. Thibodeau knows he is sitting on a winner here in Minnesota.
Wiggins is a key part of that puzzle.
Oh, and speaking of Butler…
2. Jimmy Butler
This man is already becoming a legend in Minnesota. The Jimmy Butler era is beginning in Minnesota, and fans can’t wait to see him on the court.
The Timberwolves had never in the history of the franchise added a player the caliber of Jimmy Butler via trade or free agency. Until now.
Butler is a top-15 player by virtually every metrick, including the ESPN Player Efficiency Ratings. This now gives the Timberwolves two players in the top-15, something which the Timberwolves have also never had.
The accolades don’t stop there for the 27-year-old: Butler is a three-time All-Star, three-time All-Defense selection, and a 2017 All-NBA selection. Simply put, the guy is a beast.
He was forged by the defensive-minded Tom Thibodeau and is the perfect player to bet all the money on for the front office. Who better to lead the pack on defense than the Thibodeau creation himself?
Timberwolves fans are already making their admiration for the superstar known and he has taken notice. This one is simple: Jimmy Butler will be a leader and star of this team going forward.
And last, but certainly not least…
1. Karl-Anthony Towns
Was there ever any doubt on this one?
The one they call KAT will only be 22 years old next season. He is already a top-15 player who is coming off of an All-Star caliber season while averaging 25.1 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per game.
He may end up being the greatest player to ever play in a Timberwolves uniform one day, and that is something I never thought I would say.
Kevin Garnett helped mentor him in his rookie season and man, is it paying off. KAT is not only an elite talent, but he is a humble leader as well. This guy has all the qualities that a team looks for.
With KAT on the roster for the long term future expect to see a new era of Minnesota basketball because the rest of the NBA is watching what’s going on at Target Center.
Towns will be the clear leader next year, and he finally has the team around him to make good on those lofty playoff expectations. It would be a dream come true to see him lead the Wolves to a championship one day.
Next: ESPN's Kevin Pelton on the Wolves' off-season
And sometimes, dreams do become a reality.