This is part one in a series that will matchup the Timberwolves with other likely playoff teams in the Western Conference by breaking down and analyzing each position on the roster.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, like the Minnesota Timberwolves, have gone through an overhaul this offseason. While they might not have brought in the sheer number of new players that the Wolves brought in, OKC definitely has the quality.
The Thunder brought in a player among the NBA’s elite in Paul George. The four-time All-Star is a fantastic scoring option, averaging 23.7 points per game last season and 23.1 the year before that. Not only can he fill it up on the offensive end, the former Fresno State Bulldog can more than hold his own defensively. George is a three-time All-Defensive Team player and was routinely asked to lock down the other team’s best scoring option. Oh, and they basically stole him from the Indiana Pacers, only giving up Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in the trade.
And Oklahoma City was not done stealing players from the Eastern Conference. After what seemed like years and years of reports of Carmelo Anthony being unhappy in New York, he was shipped out West. Again, it seemed like a steal with the Thunder only giving up Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a second-round draft pick. While his numbers have been going down the past couple years, there is no one who was looking for a fresh start more than Melo. Add him to a core with Russell Westbrook and PG13 and they become a legitimate contender to the Golden State Warriors.
The Timberwolves have made moves, too, of course. Adding Jimmy Butler is essentially the equivalent of signing George. Add in a new point guard, some bench depth, and playoff experience and you have a team who is ready to make some noise in the playoffs. Oh yeah, they already have a star — teetering on superstar — in Karl-Anthony Towns and a player who is ready to explode in Andrew Wiggins.
Without further ado, let’s get started with this mid-week matchup.