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Minnesota Timberwolves: Best and worst case scenarios for Cole Aldrich

ByBrian Sampson|
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics defends against Cole Aldrich #45 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 21, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics defends against Cole Aldrich #45 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 21, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Cole Aldrich had a somewhat surprising down year for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. What is his range of outcomes for 2017-18?

Cole Aldrich had an extremely disappointing first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Not your parents “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed,” disappointed. The type of disappointment you felt when Michael Jordan made his second comeback with the Washington Wizards in 2001. The type of disappointment you felt after the Wolves jumped out to a 6-18 start last year, and you sensed the playoff hopes of September come crashing down abruptly.

In July of 2016, the former Kansas Jayhawk and Minnesota agreed to a three-year deal worth $22 million. This was a big payday after he turned down a $1.2 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Despite only posting modest numbers, he enjoyed one of the best years of his career in Los Angeles. He posted 14.8 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 3.1 blocks per 36 minutes. I’m not sure what newly anointed President of Basketball Operations Tom Thibodeau saw in the seven-footer to dole out a whopping $7 million a year on average. Aldrich must hold some cards over Thibs’ head.

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Aldrich followed up the rich-extension by barely playing any minutes last season (8.6 minutes per game in 62 appearances). Not that he had much direct control over his playing time, however, he didn’t produce when given the opportunity. He only averaged 7.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes. Not great.

Worst-case scenario

Despite the eye-burning numbers, that output doesn’t appear to be likely for the 2017-18 campaign. He may very well see a bigger dip in playing time with Gorgui Dieng presumably sliding over to the backup center position after the free agent signing of Taj Gibson.

Minnesota is loaded deep in the frontcourt with Karl-Anthony Towns and Gibson holding the starting positions down and Dieng and Nemanja Bjelica figuring to be the primary backups. Shabazz Muhammad, Andrew Wiggins and Jimmy Butler may all be able to play some limited time at the 4. Their 2017 first-round pick, Justin Patton, will also return from injury at some point and figures to fight for minutes as well.

Besides Aldrich’s pretty impressive per 36 rebounding numbers, he doesn’t bring much else to the table. He’s an average defender who struggles to guard the pick-and-roll. His cement-block like feet don’t allow him to stay in front of ball-handlers coming off the screen, ending in not-so-good results for Minnesota.

Hopefully, he can provide some nice depth and spot minutes for the team this season. Unfortunately, due to the improved depth on the roster and Aldrich’s lack of production, it doesn’t look too likely.

Best-case scenario

Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, Aldrich’s best-case scenario might prove to be a disastrous one for the team.

If he ends up seeing significant minutes on the floor, it probably means someone ahead of him got hurt (please, basketball gods, don’t let anything ever happen to Towns). In this scenario, Aldrich would step in admirably and provide another big body and rebounding presence inside. His career average of 2.5 blocks per 36 minutes indicates he can protect the paint when needed. Although that wasn’t completely the case last season, he has a past track record.

The more likely best-case scenario involves Aldrich filling in admirably as a situational player. He can do a serviceable job helping out for a few minutes while other players are in foul trouble.

After spending the first 18 years of his life in Minnesota, being born in Burnsville, Minnesota and attending Thomas Jefferson High in Bloomington, he has a good relationship with the Twin Cities community. He can help some of the new players also foster a positive connection with the good people and fans. His impact doesn’t have to be solely on the court, it can be noticed in other area’s as well. Team camaraderie and feeling accepted is an important aspect of the game.

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Come the end of the season in April, Aldrich’s season probably lands somewhere in the middle. He won’t be asked to play as many minutes nor games as last season. Neither will he be asked to sit idly by as the Timberwolves push for their first playoff berth in two centuries (not really, but it feels like that). He will almost certainly play a pivotal role, it just might go unnoticed by the casual fans.

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