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What do the Minnesota Timberwolves need in order to be a contender?

By Dylan Jackson

Minneapolis, MN February 5: Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacted after being called for a foul in the first half. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Minneapolis, MN February 5: Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacted after being called for a foul in the first half. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 03: D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 03, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 03: D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 03, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Guards

D’Angelo Russell obviously brings some playmaking. He’s a step above Jeff Teague in terms of his offensive game but has the versatility to play either guard spot. He has the talent to score from all three levels with efficiency, and the Timberwolves need to maximize that skill.

Bringing in another playmaker — whether it be primary or secondary — would allow Russell to take on more of the scoring load. Last season in Brooklyn, Russell played roughly 750 minutes with Spencer Dinwiddie. Generally, when on the floor together, both assist numbers and 3-point attempts jumped.

Having another playmaker — preferably one good at defense — would be an excellent fit next to D’Angelo Russell. Although Jordan McLaughlin showed a good amount of promise this past season, it is not quite known whether his play will become consistent enough to warrant a long term deal. Expect him to be back with the Timberwolves for 20-21, but he likely is not going to start next to Russell much.

Another option at guard — this time off-ball — would be to add a spot-up shooter. Having floor spacers between Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell only helps both players get to the rim and score inside the 3-point line.

Russell is most creative when on the move. Having another guard that can help space the floor for any of his drives seems like an ideal offensive fit. Defensively, as long as they aren’t too much of a minus, it should be a fine arrangement.

One pending free agent that fits this mold is Joe Harris — who has played with Russell in the past. In 2018-19, in their nearly 1600 minutes together, there was an increase in assists, 3-point attempts (and percentage), as well as an overall efficiency boost.

Another possible free-agent signing (that would likely cost much less money than Harris) is Justin Holiday, who was on the Indiana Pacers this past season.

Holiday averaged eight points, three rebounds, and one assist per game on splits of 44/43/78. What is more impressive is that Holiday did this with above-average defense (2.2 DWS & 1.7 DBPM).

Other possible fits: Langston Galloway, D’Anthony Melton

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