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Highest Hopes and Biggest Fears for the 2017-18 Timberwolves

By Reed Redmond

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks to team mate Jeff Teague #0 during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks to team mate Jeff Teague #0 during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz; shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 10, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz; shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 10, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Biggest Fear #2: What if…the Wolves miss Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio?

I’m not going to re-litigate any of the Timberwolves’ recent trades. Let’s just agree that we came out ahead, and in all likelihood, we won’t spend too much time thinking about Zach LaVine or Ricky Rubio this season. That being said, they both have big opportunities to step up their game in Chicago and Utah.

If they rise to the occasion, I’ll be happy for them… but that happiness might be tinged with regret.

Zach LaVine

If LaVine picks up in Chicago where he left off before he tore his ACL last season, he’s going to be an offensive machine. LaVine has an opportunity to be a leader with the Chicago Bulls this year, and Minnesota fans already know how hard this young guard is willing to work.

LaVine made impressive strides during his first three NBA seasons; his points per game jumped from 10.1 to 14 between his first two seasons. Even more impressive, he averaged 18.9 points per game last season before his injury.

Watching Zach LaVine soar toward the rim on highlight reels this year might be difficult to swallow for Wolves fans.

Ricky Rubio

I have high hopes for the Timberwolves’ backcourt this year. Nonetheless, it would sting a little bit if Rubio finally found his jump shot in Utah.

Rubio is creative on offense and scrappy on defense. During each of his six seasons with the Timberwolves, however, Ricky was never able to establish himself as a consistent shooting threat.

Is it likely that Ricky Rubio is going to start shooting 50 percent from three in Utah? Absolutely not.

That being said, it’s possible we could see him boost his 3-point average to around 35 percent.

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