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Minnesota Timberwolves: Offseason Improvement Plans

By Tyler Metcalf

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 7: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a three-pointer against Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2019 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 7: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a three-pointer against Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2019 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves gives high five to Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves gives high five to Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Timberwolves have room to improve internally with the players they currently have on their roster. Looking at some things they can improve on.

Stability is a word rarely used with the Minnesota Timberwolves, especially over the last few years. Even though the organization hired a new President of Basketball Operations in Gersson Rosas and a new Head Coach (officially) in Ryan Saunders, this feels like the most stable this organization has been in years.

The Timberwolves appear to have a vision going forward which makes the offseason so much more enjoyable. This unusual feeling of stability also allows us to focus on what needs to happen on the court in order to succeed.

Instead of worrying about disgruntled stars, front office rifts, or how long until the head coach is fired, we can focus on what happens on the floor – what a novel idea. For any team, the improvement of role players is significant and that is no different for the Timberwolves with Andrew Wiggins, Tyus Jones, and Josh Okogie.

Last year was a roller coaster for these players. The Jimmy Butler fiasco made the first quarter of the season a complete lost cause. The ambiguity surrounding the coaching staff led to uncertain player roles and variable minute distributions.

The slew of injuries disrupted any chance of building chemistry and establishing consistent rotations. In total, last year did not present ideal circumstances to build chemistry, improve skillsets, or build a legitimate team.

The state of the organization is the opposite of where it was last year. The front office and coaching staff have been solidified and the roster is essentially set in stone. Instead of worrying about off-court drama, let’s focus on improvements that key players need to make to help this team succeed and reach the playoffs once again.

The Timberwolves already have their established superstar in Karl-Anthony Towns who showed how dominant of an offensive player he is and demonstrated that he isn’t a lost cause on defense. For this team to make the leap to a playoff contender though, they will need to see some big improvements from their supporting cast. Andrew Wiggins, Tyus Jones, and Josh Okogie are vital to the progression of this team and if they are unable to improve, mediocrity looms over this team’s future.