Minnesota Timberwolves: MIN achieved their offseason goal

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a few different goals for this offseason – with their first priority being to acquire veteran players. Wolves general manager Gersson Rosas did exactly that.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Team achieved their main offseason objective

The Minnesota Timberwolves were (and still are) one of the youngest teams in the NBA. It was very noticeable last year, with inconsistent play coming from essentially every core player (injuries were common as well).

There weren’t any big, blockbuster trades or mega-signings, but the Timberwolves improved where they needed to. Considering the team’s lack of free agency cap space and draft picks, Rosas did everything he could with the two trades to better the roster.

The Timberwolves ended up trading for both Taurean Prince and Patrick Beverley this offseason, adding two consistent rotational players that should be able to get several minutes a night for a Minnesota team that needs some steadiness both offensively and defensively.

Starting with Prince, he has averaged 13 points per game on shooting splits of 41/37/83 since his second NBA season. That is really good – especially for a 6-foot-8 combo forward. Considering Prince’s defensive metrics, the Timberwolves traded a backup point guard (Rubio) for someone that could be a consistent high-level role player. While Minnesota obviously lost the aspect of leadership in that deal, Prince is a solid, consistent veteran basketball player.

Second, Patrick Beverley is an experienced, older guard that brings an ultra-valuable skill set to the guard rotation. While Beverley is known for his perimeter defense, Beverley’s offense should fit right into what the Timberwolves are going to look to do. Beverley should be a reliable spot-up shooter that won’t be relied on to handle the ball in the half court, since the Wolves already have Edwards, Towns, and Russell.

The Minnesota Timberwolves added to veteran players that bring lots of value to a team that really needed more consistency. While neither Beverley nor Prince are the most flashy players, both are unique in the sense that they fit positional holes that the Timberwolves needed – especially considering how well their skills mesh with the existing roster.