Where the Minnesota Timberwolves must improve to make the playoffs
No. 3: The Minnesota Timberwolves need their defense-first players to step up
Although players like Edwards, Russell, and Towns are crucial for this team’s success, there is also one more thing that has to happen for the Wolves to succeed: a significant improvement on the defensive end of the ball.
The Timberwolves were again one of the worst defensive teams in the league last year, finishing No. 26 in team defensive rating. Such a finish in 2021-22 won’t allow the Wolves to make the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference, which is exactly why improvement for this team is so crucial.
This offseason, the Wolves were able to make some sneaky good trades acquiring players such as Patrick Beverley and Taurean Prince that will help this team out on the defensive end of the ball.
The Wolves have players at all three levels of the floor that are capable of being elite defenders: Beverley and Okogie in the backcourt, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaden McDaniels on the wing, and Towns down low. Add in the versatile Prince and an improving Edwards, and the Wolves have the size and athleticism to be a much-improved team on the defensive end of the floor.
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All in all, Timberwolves fans should be excited about the possibilities. This team has a lot of good things going for them heading into the new season, and if this roster can stay healthy and players are able to step up in the ways mentioned, there is no doubt that the Wolves will be in the running for the playoff spot they’ve been after for the past few years.