The worst-case scenario for Minnesota’s season is catastrophic

Nearly two months into the NBA season, we are beginning to get a more clear picture of who exactly the Minnesota Timberwolves are. For better or for worse, this group is carving out their identity, and fans are more fully grasping where this team is headed.

There are certainly some inconsistencies to address concerning this Minnesota team. Be it certain star players and their production, three-point shooting, or team defense, there are a multitude of worrying factors surrounding the Timberwolves.

Of course, even with all their problems, there is still much potential for the team from the Twin Cities. They still boast one of the more talented rosters in the Western Conference. With the star power of players like Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, they can create matchup problems for anyone, and they will have the chance to be a very tough out if they end up making the playoffs.

The Minnesota Timberwolves do not own a first-round pick in 2023

However, the flip side of the coin is shockingly troublesome for Minnesota. While there is still a good chance for them to right the ship and achieve great things this season, there is also the looming possibility that they will continue down spiraling and fizzle out, ending up on the outside of the playoff picture come April.

If that happens, the end result will be even more disastrous than most Timberwolves fans realize. If Minnesota cannot become a winning team with their current roster construction, it will have a devastating long-term effect on the franchise.

The biggest reason why this is true stems from the trade the Timberwolves made with the Utah Jazz for Rudy Gobert back in July. When Minnesota agreed to bring in the French big man, they gave up a total of four first-round picks in the process. So if things continue to go south for the Timberwolves this season, they will not even have a first-round draft pick to give them a lift next summer.

A failed season in 2022-23 could have major future consequences

While the other teams that fall into the lottery will be able to rest in the fact that they could luck into landing a special talent like Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson in the draft, the Timberwolves will be on the outside looking in. Even if they miss the playoffs, they will have no immediate hope for improvement.

To make matters worse, they will have to watch as their 2022 trade partners, the Jazz, use Minnesota’s former pick to select their own newest first-round pick. If the Rudy Gobert trade remains looking like a failed experiment, watching Utah continue to be the beneficiary of the Timberwolves’ controversial transaction will add insult to injury.

Not to mention the potential roster changes that could come in the offseason if things do not improve. If the 2022-23 season ends as a disaster, the Timberwolves will likely feel that they need to do something quickly to avoid alienating Anthony Edwards and potentially losing their franchise player down the road.

In all, the current season has massive implications for the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise in the long run. If their struggles continue, it could potentially bring bad fortune for the organization for years to come.