Minnesota Timberwolves New Year’s resolutions: Player development

3. No major injuries

Minnesota appeared to dodge a huge bullet when Jeff Teague was only diagnosed with a left knee strain. When the injury originally happened during a freak jump ball incident, Timberwolves’ fans feared for the worst. And why wouldn’t we? After all, that’s the type of luck we’ve been used to in the past. But now it’s been revealed he might only be out 2-4 weeks so his arrow is definitely pointing up.

Even with Teague sidelined for up to a month, Minnesota will have a difficult time weathering the storm. More than any other team in the tough and rough Western Conference, Minnesota is least prepared to overcome an injury to one of their major players.

They have very little depth all across the board (except possibly the frontcourt) and would struggle to provide positive minutes in the absence of any of their key rotational players (see Aaron Brooks). Just imagine how awful it would be if Jimmy Butler went down with an injury and Marcus Georges-Hunt or Shabazz Muhammad had to play upwards of 20 minutes a night. Please. No.

This is the goal that is arguably out of Minnesota’s hands the most (assuming Thibodeau doesn’t go full Thibs and play his starters 48 minutes every game), but might have the biggest impact on their season. They’re going to need all hands on deck to continue their push toward hosting a playoff series.