Why the Minnesota Timberwolves won’t make the playoffs

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a tough task ahead of them being in a loaded Western Conference. Here’s why the team will once again miss the postseason.

We already took a look at what needs to be done in order for the Minnesota Timberwolves to make the playoffs last week.

Now, it’s time to do a complete 180-degree turn and look at why they definitely won’t make the postseason.

Let’s face it, the Wolves don’t have an easy task by playing in the Western Conference. Travel challenges aside, Minnesota is in the deepest conference, and it isn’t close. If they were the Eastern Conference, this would be a much different discussion.

The most likely teams to make the playoffs in the West include the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz.

There are of course many other possibilities, but it boils down to the fact that there are a lot more talented teams ahead of Minnesota.

Karl-Anthony Towns is only one player, after all, and he’s been the only reflection of Minnesota having a chance of making the postseason. Sure, Robert Covington is good and will have a big impact in what they do, but he’s not a guy that should be your second star.

There’s a case to be made that what we’ve seen from Andrew Wiggins, is the player that he will always be. He’s been working hard and there’s been nothing but positive news about him this summer, but until he plays a game, it can never be too sure.

If he can’t figure out how to be that All-Star, then Minnesota will not be as good of a team because of the potential impact he has on the team.

Additionally, Minnesota also went out and signed a lot of new faces. On paper, it looks like they are solid pickups and can have a positive impact on the team. However, new players in the fold mean a potential lack of chemistry.

These players haven’t played with each other yet and it may take some time before they all gel together on the court. Then again, the Wolves did take a team trip to the Bahamas and perhaps that will help.

Minnesota is faced with a tough task; they are in a loaded Western Conference and will be stuck trying to matchup with the more talented teams. Also, a lot hinges on the development of Wiggins and the chemistry of all the new faces.

All three of these things will make it hard for the Timberwolves to have any chance at the playoffs. While it continues to be a playoff-hungry franchise, postseason play at the end of the 2019-20 season may not be realistic in Minnesota.