Minnesota Timberwolves: Predicting each player’s stats

Ricky Rubio

11.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.1 blocks

Ricky Rubio (as well as two late-first round picks) was acquired by the Timberwolves in exchange for the 17thselection and James Johnson. Rubio was really, really good for the Phoenix Suns in his lone year there, and almost helped the Suns to a play-in game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite going 8-0 in the league’s re-start, the team still missed the play-in, though.

Rubio, however, had his best NBA season last year. He was really efficient from three, facilitated the Suns’ offense to near-perfection, and played above-average perimeter defense. If he can bring the playmaking and defense to the Timberwolves while also having decent 3-point efficiency, that will drastically help Minnesota fight for a playoff spot this coming season.

The Timberwolves as a whole have a lot of scoring. Between Towns, Russell, Edwards, and Beasley, there’s a lot of perimeter talent – and Rubio, being as good as he is as a passer- hopefully maintains the player that he was for the Suns.

Anthony Edwards

12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Edwards is a capable 3-level-scorer that should be able to play right away. It’s unknown whether he will start, but it is likely given the current roster construction.

Edwards is not going to provide much other than scoring as a rookie. While, yes, he was the first overall pick, it was in a weaker draft class and the Timberwolves have something of a logjam along the wings – with he, Beasley, Culver, and Okogie all splitting minutes.

Edwards is the most difficult stat projection on the team, however, because we do not know what the rotation is going to look like yet – but 12/5/1 seems like a solid projection given his college production on top of how many scorers he is going to have to share the court with.