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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 bounce-back candidates in 2019-20

By Ian Kasdan

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 23: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game at FedExForum on March 23, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. Minnesota won 112-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 23: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game at FedExForum on March 23, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. Minnesota won 112-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves, Jeff Teague
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 21: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the Denver Nuggets. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Jeff Teague

Another player involved in the Wolves’ summer of 2017, Jeff Teague was signed by Tom Thibodeau to a three-year, $57 million contract as the replacement for fan favorite, Ricky Rubio.

Teague replacing the Spanish Magician left many fans perturbed and bitter about the Wolves’ new starting point guard. But, the 2014-2015 All Star had reached the playoffs in each of his previous eight seasons, and promised fans that he signed in Minnesota to end the Wolves’ 14-year playoff drought.

Teague delivered on his promise, averaging 14.2 points per game, 7 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, and 36.8 percent on 3’s in 70 games started while helping the Wolves reach the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Houston Rockets in a five-game series.

The highlight of Teague’s 2017-18 season was his game-winning floater in OT against the Denver Nuggets in a victory that would officially send the Wolves to the playoffs.

Following a season of noteworthy success for a franchise starving for playoff contention, a subsequent season of improvement and a prolonged playoff appearance were expected from Wolves’ fans. However, Jimmy Butler was not concerned with Wolves fans’ expectations.

The Butler debacle left the Wolves’ 2018-19 season in shambles, and Teague was unable to carry the load left by Butler.

Starting in a career-low 41 games due to a multitude of injuries, Teague averaged career-worsts as a starting point guard of 12.1 points per game and an effective field goal percentage of 46.5 percent. Along with his declining stats, Teague often appeared uncomfortable taking open threes and seemed to prefer deferring to teammates following prolonged periods of dribbling while the shot clock winded down.

However, the 2018-19 campaign did provide hope for an improved 2019-20 season from Teague, as he averaged a career-high 8.2 assists per game.

Following a 2019 offseason that saw the Wolves lose Tyus Jones to Memphis, Derrick Rose to Detroit, and fail to acquire D’Angelo Russell in free agency, the Wolves are counting on Teague to play a significant amount of minutes. With Shabazz Napier being the only other point guard on the roster with NBA experience, Teague will need to provide much of the value lost by the departures of Jones and Rose.

If Teague cannot rebound from his injury-filled season, the Wolves’ lack of a true floor general will prove costly.

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