Want to know what’s around the corner for the Minnesota Timberwolves?

The Minnesota Timberwolves finished off their 2022-2023 campaign with a gut-wrenching 112-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets. This was a rollercoaster ride of a season that ended the same way as last year; getting bounced in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Timberwolves made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2003 and 2004, but the organization has revolutionized and isn’t satisfied with just making the playoffs.

The loss of key players down the stretch, including small forward Jaden McDaniels, and center Naz Reid, became too much for the young Timberwolves to overcome. Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards put the team on his back, and did everything he could to advance in the playoffs but ultimately didn’t have enough help. Outside of Game 1, Edwards torched the Denver Nuggets putting up scoring totals of 41, 34, 36, and 29. Edwards took a major leap in year three, but the big question is what’s next for the 21-year-old superstar, and the rest of the team.

Edwards’s Future With the Timberwolves

Heading into year four with the Timberwolves, Edwards is now eligible to sign a max rookie extension this summer. I’d say a contract extension is well earned after finishing as the teams leading scorer and finishing in the top three in steals, rebound, and assists. Edwards’ ceiling is sky-high and I expect him to be the face of the franchise for years to come.

I’m Yelling Timber

Many were uncertain as to how Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert would gel in their first year as teammates. We saw a small sample size of this experiment and are left with more questions than answers.

The pairing of these two big men was designed to throw a wrench in the run-and-gun, guard-happy NBA. Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch had a plan for these two to play bully ball, and at the very least, control the glass. The two seven-footers failed to do so against the Denver Nuggets in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs, getting out-rebounded by 28. Ultimately this was the downfall of the Timberwolves’ season. As Game 5 progressed, they allowed the Nuggets to score 21 second-chance points to go along with 16 offensive boards.

Timberwolves Big Three

Over the course of the next two years, Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert are set to make a combined 168 million dollars. With Edwards likely to receive a max rookie extension over the offseason, Minnesota is stuck with making it work between these three players.

Close to 80 percent of the Timberwolves’ available payroll will be tied up between these three players. It will be a crucial offseason to build chemistry amongst each other and figure out a scheme to utilize each others’ strengths.