6. Kyle Anderson
The former Memphis Grizzly Kyle Anderson brings all the intangibles the Timberwolves are looking for, the biggest of which has to be his defense.
A versatile defensive player, Anderson uses his combination of length and IQ to routinely take the ball away from his opposition. Constantly getting his hand in passing lanes, Slo-Mo is the frequent cause of an opponent’s broken play.
On the other side of the floor, Anderson will help the Timberwolves’ offense flow with his timely playmaking ability. He may be Minnesota’s most important player not in the starting lineup.
5. Jaden McDaniels
Entering his third season, Jaden McDaniels has high aspirations for himself. After it was announced that he’ll officially be the Timberwolves’ starting small forward, he’ll be able to work toward his goal of being named to the All-Defensive First Team.
It may sound lofty, but McDaniels has shown us he has the physical tools and the know-how to make it happen. He’ll be relied on to guard some of the most gifted scorers in the league this season, and it’s a task he’s more than up for.
Offensively, his game is reaching new levels, and that should be helped even more by teammates like D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards finding him in the right spots.
4. D’Angelo Russell
Speaking of D’Angelo Russell, he comes in at fourth on our list. After a bit of a drop-off in the playoffs last year, Russell will be fired up and ready to go for the Timberwolves this season.
While discussions about his next contract are still up in the air, D-Lo knows what kind of player he is. He may not be the best point guard in the NBA, but he’s better than many casual viewers believe.
That’s why his play will be so crucial for the Timberwolves this season. He’s already developed a strong relationship with his new starting center, and the chemistry between him and his teammates will be paramount in their on-court success.
The impact of the play of a team’s point guard is always hard to overstate. When Russell is operating at a high level, Minnesota will be very tough to stop.