Minnesota Timberwolves: Why the 2021 season will be better than 2020

Minnesota Timberwolves: How the 2021 season will be better than 2020

No extended hiatus due to a global pandemic

Fingers crossed, but it looks as though the 2020-21 season will start in early-to-mid December.

Whether or not there will be fans at these games still remains to be seen. However, being able to watch a full season of NBA basketball and having the Wolves back in action after nine months off will make the 2020-21 season better no matter how the season turns out.

The 2019-20 season is slated to restart the end of July with the 22 teams still in the race to make the playoffs. While the Timberwolves are not part of those 22 teams, there are still dates Minnesota fans can look forward to before December.

Per NBA.com, the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery is set to be rescheduled for Aug. 25. The Wolves are tied with the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers for the best odds to land the No. 1 pick at 14 percent and guaranteed to draft in the top seven.

The 2020 Draft is to be held on Oct. 15. Minnesota sits with three picks in the top 33, with their own lottery pick and Brooklyn’s first-round pick that is currently No.16.

Training camp and free agency will also take place between Oct. 12, the last scheduled game of The Finals, and Dec. 1.

Overall, not having Wolves basketball for nine months due to the global pandemic brings a lot of negatives. There are positives to point out, however, including allowing Karl-Anthony Towns to come back fully healthy from his wrist injury next season. It also gives the young guys on the team extra time to work on their games and improve moving forward.

While it is not ideal to sit out for three-quarters of a year, 2021 will bring better Wolves basketball.