D’Angelo Russell can be the X-factor for Timberwolves

Most contenders in the NBA are filled with star talent. They’re led by All-Star and All-NBA level players that play well alongside each other, as well as meaningful role players who execute well with their star teammates.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are no different. They’re led by the all-world talent of players like Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and soon, Rudy Gobert. It’s often the stars that determine how successful a team can be.

But sometimes, there’s an additional X-factor for a team that’s not necessarily one of the top two or three players on the roster. This X-factor can end up playing just as big a role in determining the group’s floor and ceiling as the team’s top option, for various reasons.

For the Timberwolves in 2022-23, I think that player will be D’Angelo Russell.

Russell’s Role Will Be Important

First of all, this isn’t to suggest that D’Angelo Russell isn’t incredibly talented in his own right. He may not be a top five point guard in the league, but he wasn’t picked second overall in 2015 for nothing. He won’t be the best player on the roster, but it’s hard to understate just how important he’s been for this Timberwolves team.

That’s why his role as floor general will be of the utmost importance for Minnesota this year. Now 26 years old, Russell is one of the older, more experienced players on what will be a relatively young roster.

His veteran leadership will continue to manifest itself in various ways throughout the season. Whether it’s off-court things like mentoring young players and setting an example for them, or being a good leader on-court, his presence will be paramount for the rest of the team.

While many teams in the NBA are attempting to bring along a young point guard and figure out what they really have in an unproven prospect, the Timberwolves have the luxury of knowing exactly what they’ll get from a consistent, polished veteran like D’Lo.

D’Lo Is Primed To Bounce Back From Last Season

As productive as Russell usually is on the court, he did find himself having a slightly-below average season last year. His shot didn’t fall quite as often as he’d like, and he finished with 41/34/83 shooting splits.

That trend continued into the playoffs for him, where he averaged just 12 points on 33% shooting. The good news is, great players like D’Lo tend to revert to the norm. He should be in excellent position to have a solid bounce-back season for the Wolves.

And this time around, he’ll have a better arsenal surrounding him than ever before. He’ll be routinely finding Rudy Gobert with lobs, hitting Anthony Edwards on backdoor passes, and doing everything necessary to keep the Timberwolves’ engine whirring.

D’Angelo Russell won’t be the best player on this Minnesota team by a long shot. But in the end, his performance over the course of the season could end up being the most important factor in determining how far this team can go.