The Minnesota Timberwolves will make the playoffs in 2019-20

The Minnesota Timberwolves don’t have the best playoff track record. However, the 2019-20 season could be the season they make the playoffs for just the second time in the last 16 seasons.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made the postseason once in the last 15 years. This is a franchise hungry team that hasn’t seen much consistency since the Kevin Garnett era.

The Wolves made the playoffs during the 2017-18 season, led by All-Star Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau. Of course, we all know how that ended up, but making the playoffs was extremely important for this franchise.

Now, with a revamped roster, coaching staff, and front office, the Wolves will be looking to start a new era of success. They will have an uphill battle because of how talented the Western Conference is.

The 2018-19 season was a hectic one and Minnesota was still able to come out with 36 wins. Not ideal, but given the circumstances of all the drama, the departure of former head coach Tom Thibodeau midseason and all the injuries that the team underwent, the Wolves did a fairly good job with what was handed to them.

With a healthy Robert Covington, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Jeff Teague, the Timberwolves will have a better chance at winning games.

Missing Covington and Teague doesn’t help with winning games as well. When Teague is healthy, he is a solid option at the point guard position. There’s a reason Teague hadn’t missed the playoffs in his entire career until the 2018-19 campaign.

Covington is a great defender and made the Timberwolves a lot better when he was on the court. His ability to defend multiple positions and stretch the floor will be very beneficial.

Wiggins has been a focal point of conversation this summer. This offseason he’s been a the center of many trade discussions, but was not ultimately moved. For Minnesota to make the playoffs or be any sort of competitive, then they will need to see the former No.1 overall pick blossom into that All-Star everyone expects.

There’s been a lot of positive talks this offseason surrounding Wiggins and that’s the first step. He’s been working hard and was one of the players down in the Bahamas with the rest of the team.

A lot of Wiggins’ struggles have come from constant change, as he has had numerous head coaches and many roles with the team throughout his short career. Again, there’s blame to put on him as well, but it’s not easy for a player to go through all these changes.

Karl-Anthony Towns is a for sure lock to have another monster season, so there’s no worry in how he fairs.

The Wolves went out and signed/traded for some players that are on cheap contracts. The guys they signed are hungry to prove people wrong, because the talent level and ability to be better is definitely there.

For example, getting Jordan Bell and Noah Vonleh on such cheap contracts is a steal. If they can have big seasons, then Minnesota will find themselves hitting the lottery.

Minnesota will make the playoffs if Wiggins takes that next step as an All-Star, they can all stay healthy and this new coaching staff makes a large imprint of focusing on a faster paced offense with three-point shooting.

Minnesota hired David Vanterpool, who will have an impact on defense. Hopefully, with the addition of the new players as well will push this team into the playoffs. It is a longer shot this season with the loaded Western Conference, but if they can have all those things go their way, then Minnesota could very well find themselves in the top eight.