It’s time for Timberwolves fans to let go of last year’s team

Securing a massive victory over the Thunder on Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves are headed to the playoffs for the second straight year. After a roller coaster of a regular season that gave fans as many exciting moments as it did letdowns, Minnesota will have a chance to knock out the top team in the West in the postseason.

But despite the opportunistic situation the Timberwolves find themselves in, there are still certain fans that can not stop thinking about the 2021-22 Minnesota Timberwolves team. No matter what the current squad accomplishes, there is still talk of what could have been if the team had never traded for Rudy Gobert.

There is a lot of reminiscing on Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley from these fans, and their general message is that the Timberwolves would be far better off if the organization had simply decided to run last year’s roster back. While there is always space for healthy debates, it is time Timberwolves fans let go of last year’s team. If they don’t, they will miss out on all that the current team has to offer.

The 2021-22 Minnesota Timberwolves were not built to last.

I am not writing this acting as if I do not understand where these Wolves fans are coming from, because I do. Thinking back to April 2022, last year’s Timberwolves were an incredibly fun squad to watch. The chaotic series against Memphis in round one of the playoffs will always be remembered for how a young Minnesota roster banded together and came close to knocking off the 56-26 Grizzlies.

But despite their improved play to end the year and their near-upset of Ja Morant and company, the 2021-22 Timberwolves were never a championship-caliber team. They were a fun, charismatic group that scored a lot of points, but they needed some obvious improvements to rise to the level of a contender.

That is what Tim Connelly realized as the team’s General Manager, and it is why he traded for Rudy Gobert. Perhaps he did not make the smartest trade ever, but he saw the potential of last year’s team while accepting that they would not contend for a title as they were currently constructed.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are set up for future success now more than ever.

Minnesota is in arguably a tougher position in these playoffs than last, and will probably be sent home in round one. But in the long-term, they are primed for more success than last year’s team could have ever dreamed of. The additions made to the team since this time last year should continue to pay off.

Replacing D’Angelo Russell with Mike Conley has proven to be a genius decision all-around, giving the Wolves a veteran floor general who is far more adept at getting his teammates the ball where they need it. Rudy Gobert’s rim protection can be exploited at times, but his presence completely changes the way teams play against the Wolves, as we saw in the play-in game against the Thunder.

As much as we love Patrick Beverley, having Jaden McDaniels in the starting lineup next to Anthony Edwards instead is a no-brainer. And the addition of Kyle Anderson has given Minnesota another playoff-tested, savvy veteran that will continue to pay dividends. From top to bottom, there is no question the Timberwolves’ roster is exceedingly more talented now than it was last April.

It is understandable that fans look back to the 2021-22 Timberwolves and reflect positively on those memories. But if we take the emotional lenses off, it is clear to see that Minnesota’s current team is even better and will only continue to improve. If the Wolves can avoid this season’s bad injury luck next year, fans will not be worrying about what could have been anymore.