Minnesota Timberwolves have more obstacles as small market team
There are many limitations from the fact that the Minnesota Timberwolves are a small market team. While franchises such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Chicago Bulls have sustained winning over long periods of time (albeit with some stretches of struggle), the losing (and what comes with it) is on a different level than teams like the Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets, Sacramento Kings, among others.
Minnesota Timberwolves: There are more obstacles to being a small market team
Small markets inherently have a tougher time building teams, often having to overpay non-stars, drawing less consideration from big names in free agency. That means that factors those smaller market teams control are even more important – such as hitting on draft picks or finding the correct coaching hire.
This past week, the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Finals, and were the smallest market to do so in several decades to do so. Yes, smaller than Cleveland. And you know how they did it?
They got incredibly lucky.
Back in 2013, the Bucks made the best decision for their franchise in their relative history when they selected Giannis Antetokounmpo 15th overall. The Bucks grew their star over the course of his career, and he chose to re-sign with the team just before this year.
Milwaukee used savvy trades to acquire Khris Middleton several years ago followed by Jrue Holiday this year. And you know what? The Bucks STILL had to get lucky after that – it is hard to say whether the Bucks would have won the championship if the Brooklyn Nets were fully healthy during their series.
And again, that’s not to say that small market teams cannot win a championship without otherworldly luck – they absolutely can. But to create a team with sustained success, there are much more obstacles for teams like Milwaukee, Minnesota, and others than the big markets that attract stars.
Next. The Timberwolves should pursue Kelly Oubre. dark
The best way to create a winning team is to have the right people in charge – and whether that is true for the Minnesota Timberwolves remains to be seen – but it looks as though the fan base will learn a lot this coming season.