Who’s afraid of the Big Bad TWolves? 5 reasons why the NBA should be
By Bret Stuter
II – The Timberwolves are aggressive but have done their homework
The Minnesota Timberwolves are not just spending money, nor just trading for big-name players. Rather, they are finding stars and niche players who truly appear to fit what they want to do this year. From a fan’s perspective, everyone wants a team built on NBA stars. But the practical matter of building an NBA roster must consider that there is only one basketball, some players must shoot the basketball, while other players must distribute the same basketball. Finally, other players must play defense, create turnovers, and initiate fast breaks.
Wouldn’t it be nice if they all played for the NBA minimum salary to fit all of the stars under the salary cap?
But that’s the rub, isn’t it? Paying some players the maximum forces teams to pay other players at the minimum. Placing a veteran in his prime into a starting role on the roster means placing a young developing player and a seasoned veteran who has seen it all but is in decline as the backups at the position.
I feel a draft in the room
What about the 2022 NBA Draft?
The Minnesota Timberwolves selected (and traded) center, Walker Kessler, with the 22nd overall pick. The team then selected an intriguing wing, Wendell Moore Jr., with the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The team then selected forward Josh Minott with the 45th overall pick. To cap it all off, the Timberwolves selected Euroleague point guard Matteo Spagnolo with the 50th overall pick.
The results of the draft are both subtle and impressive. The Timberwolves clearly upgraded their center from rookie Walker Kessler to NBA All-Star Rudy Gobert. But look at the other pieces? Moore, Minott, and Spagnolo are all compatible with the Timberwolves’ remaining roster, all offer help on defense as well as the spacing necessary to get the most out of a Gobert-Towns front court. And the team has promising young players (multiple) added to the roster this year without a lottery pick.