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Minnesota Timberwolves: Final roster prediction

By Brian Sampson

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Power forward

Made the team: Taj Gibson, Nemanja Bjelica

Cut: Amile Jefferson

Taj Gibson received a two-year $28 million deal from the Timberwolves this summer. Some fans questioned the high annual salary, but Gibson will look to prove his worth.  Quantifying that worth may prove to be a difficult challenge for the eight-year veteran.

He will likely have an equal impact both on and off the court. His experience in Thibodeau’s system and playing in the NBA, in general, is a very crucial aspect. He will also provide great leadership to his younger teammates and is someone who knows how to win.

Behind him is Nemanja Bjelica. Bjelica might be the most underrated player on the roster. His improved play late last season was one of the main reasons Minnesota was beginning to make a playoff push around the All-Star break. It’s no coincidence the teams’ play faulted down the stretch immediately after Bjelica went down with an injury.

When at his best, he brings the innate ability to knock down outside shots, thus stretching the defense out of the lane. This is critical for the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Wiggins and Butler to succeed when attacking the rim.

Unfortunately, the Timberwolves are absolutely loaded in the frontcourt. This means Amile Jefferson will find himself on the outside looking in. Jefferson simply doesn’t bring enough to the table to warrant rostering at this point. He doesn’t specialize in any one skill, rather, is okay a lot of things.

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