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5 things the Timberwolves need to do to get the No. 3 seed

By Cooper Langby

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25 Karl-Anthony Towns #32 Jeff Teague #0 Jimmy Butler #23 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25 Karl-Anthony Towns #32 Jeff Teague #0 Jimmy Butler #23 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets during the game on February 13, 2018 at the 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 – FEBRUARY 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets during the game on February 13, 2018 at the 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) /

#2 – Find Wiggins’ Place

After receiving his max contract extension in the offseason — a contract that will increase his salary each year, all the way up to $33.3 million in 2022 — Andrew Wiggins has had an up-and-down season.

Wiggins had to adjust to becoming the number-two option on the team to the third, behind Towns and Butler. At first, it seemed to work. Wiggins averaged close to 25 points throughout the Wolves first three games, and hit the memorable game winning 3-pointer over Oklahoma to steal a close victory.

However, Butler was acting as more of a facilitator, role player and defender throughout the start of the season, and has since added his scoring game to the Wolves offense.

Wiggins hasn’t managed 20 points in the last nine Wolves games, and has reached 10 points in a third of those performances. Wiggins isn’t necessarily shooting terribly, just inconsistently. An 18-point performance while shooting 65 percent from the field came just four days before a seven-point performance on 14 percent shooting.

While Wiggins’ scoring clearly isn’t essential to the Wolves’ winning, Wiggins finding a different way to contribute, perhaps taking some strain off Butler and Towns, would certainly help the Timberwolves.

Wiggins hasn’t had five or more assists in a game since Christmas Day, hasn’t collected 10 or more rebounds all season and his defense always seems to be questioned. If Wiggins can find his place to contribute, and stabilize his scoring, the Wolves would be in a much better position to win games.

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