Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves breakout players of 2019

By Tyler Aliperto

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 20: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during a game against the Utah Jazz on November 20, 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 20: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during a game against the Utah Jazz on November 20, 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 21: President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and Head Coach Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Timberwolves have gotten off to a better start than many expected for the 2019-20 NBA season as they’re within playoff contention through the first quarter of the season. Much of this start can be attributed to several breakout players who have outperformed expectations.

Through the first few months of the season the Minnesota Timberwolves have exceeded the expectations of most members of the media, and even their own fans, by looking like a team that may fight for the seventh or eighth seed in the Western Conference.

Karl-Anthony Towns has added a new dimension to his game shooting nearly twice the amount of three-point attempts than he ever attempted under Tom Thibodeau (8.7 to 4.6), averaging 26.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game while shooting 53.2 percent from the field.

New President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and Head Coach Ryan Saunders’ offensive scheme seems to have brought out the best in their roster so far. After years of refusing to employ modern NBA trends (ranking 30th, 30th, and 26th in three-point attempts over the past three years), the Wolves now rank fifth in attempts per game from downtown.

Their new offensive system and adjustments have not only allowed Towns to become a more willing passer to go along with that three-point shooting prowess as he’s averaging a career-high 4.5 assists per game, but it has helped fuel several breakout campaigns from Wolves players.

From previously underperforming starters to players chosen late in the draft, Minnesota’s hot start can be attributed to multiple players throughout the rotation outperforming their expectations. While some are just coming into their own, others are proving to be hidden gems relative to their draft positions.

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