The Minnesota Timberwolves are a talented bunch, and they enter the 2022-23 season with one of the best all-around rosters in the NBA. They’ll have extreme lineup versatility, and be able to play big or small on any given night.
Of course, their talent is easy to see just by looking at the starting lineup. Three of the five presumed starters have been All-Stars or on an All-NBA team in the last four seasons, with another starter on the verge of joining them.
There’s one player on the Timberwolves’ roster who could be best described as a “swiss army knife.” Simply put, this type of player is one who is versatile, can operate in various roles, and be useful no matter where they are on the floor.
Of course, I’m talking about Kyle Anderson. One of the Timberwolves’ newest additions, Anderson joined Minnesota via free agency in July. The entire organization has been stoked to bring him on, and for good reason.
Kyle Anderson will play a major role for the Timberwolves
Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly voiced his excitement for having Kyle Anderson on the team at media day this week. “We’re trying to surround our young core with guys that are used to winning and have experience,” said Connelly. “Kyle Anderson is one of the best swiss army knives in the NBA.”
And that’s precisely what Anderson, affectionately nicknamed Slo-Mo, will do for Minnesota. He’ll bring his experience from 505 career games and 47 playoff games to this group of talented youngsters. But it’s not his veteran status alone that makes him valuable.
Kyle Anderson’s usefulness as a “swiss army knife” is hard to overstate. He’s not considered to be a “specialty” player in any one area. Rather, his well-rounded skillset lends him to being useful in just about any lineup or against nearly any opponent.
Standing at 6’9″ with a 7’2″ wingspan, Anderson has the physical measurements to take on opponents of varying size and skill right off the bat. But when you factor in his intangibles, his usefulness as a defender is maximized in a major way.
Slo-Mo Is an extremely versatile defender
With quick instincts and a high basketball IQ, Kyle Anderson stands as one of the most useful overall defensive players in the NBA. It certainly helps that he was brought into the league learning defensive fundamentals from the likes of Tim Duncan and coach Gregg Popovich.
On the offensive side of the ball, Anderson’s IQ shines in his playmaking ability. Consistently ranking among some of the best passers in the NBA in assist percentage, his brain is hard wired to get his teammates the ball when they need it.
An underrated strength to Anderson’s game is his effectiveness as a spot-up shooter. For his career, he shoots 37% on corner threes, and he even knocked down a red-hot 44% from the corner last season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
In terms of players that can be useful in nearly every situation, Kyle Anderson is as good as they come. Chris Finch and his staff have put their trust in him, and he’s not likely to disappoint.