Minnesota Timberwolves first rotation from the first game

Perhaps one of the least important questions hanging over the Minnesota Timberwolves this season was the order and exactly who the team would include in the initial rotations to begin the season. Of course, with so many talented players, part of that question is simply country-boy curiosity.

But there is more to it than that. The rotation says a lot about this team, and the first rotation, while still a trial-and-error process, represented those players who the coaching staff believed were the most prepared to compete.  Perhaps even beyond that, depending on how loose or tight the rotation was, would even sprinkle some clues over just how prepared these starters were as well.

Thankfully, Dan Moore filled in some of the holes left in my game notes (I found that writing 4 articles, watching the game, and taking complete game notes to be more than I was capable of doing for Game 1), so here is how the Timberwolves rotation took shape in the first game:

So what did we learn?

Timberwolves cycle  3X2, 4X2, 1X1

Kyle Anderson was the first player off the bench, and he subbed in for center Rudy Gobert after 6:30 had elapsed. When he entered the game, Karl-Anthony Towns took up the center position, and Slo-Mo filled in as the power forward. Anderson would end the game with 22 minutes, two points, six rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal.

One minute later, Jordan McLaughlin would substitute for D’Angelo Russell. McLaughlin would hold the point guard role for 11 minutes. During that time, he scored four points and hauled in two rebounds.

More than a minute later, Jaylen Nowell would substitute for small forward Jaden McDaniels. Nowell would play 18 minutes, as he would toggle between the small forward and shooting guard roles on the night. He scored 13 points, while hauling in three rebounds, and dishing out two assists for the evening.

One minute later, Rudy Gobert would substitute for Karl-Anthony Towns and take over at center.

Hot wings and baby backcourts

Finally, Taurean Prince would enter the game one minute later for Anthony Edwards, taking the small forward role from Jaylen Nowell, and moving Nowell to the shooting guard role. Prince would play 12 minutes and put up 11 points, three rebounds, and one assist.

The rotation rounded out with four minutes to Bryn Forbes and one minute to Austin Rivers.

It seems that the Timberwolves plan to rotate Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Kyle Anderson in the front court, with Gobert at the center, Anderson at power forward, and KAT pivoting as both center or power forward depending upon who is in the game at the time.

For the other end of the court, Jordan McLaughlin appears to be the relief for D’Angelo Russell at point guard.

For the wing positions, the team appears to be comfortable starting Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards and then using Jaylen Nowell and Taurean Prince throughout the game to give them breathers.

For now, the team appears intent on maximizing the playing time of the starters, while committing bench minutes to four rotational players. As the Timberwolves starters grow more proficient in their roles, I expect to see players like Naz Reid and Wendell Moore Jr. see some action as well.