As the NBA Playoffs roll on and with Conference Finals set to begin tomorrow night, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to make their preparations for next season. They can be encouraged that outside of game one, they put up a solid fight in their first round matchup against the Denver Nuggets, who currently have the second-best overall championship odds.
Of course, some Timberwolves fans are no longer interested in watching the playoffs with Minnesota eliminated. The pain of watching while knowing what this team could have achieved with a healthy Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid is a tough burden to bear.
But for those fans still keeping up with playoff action, there are several notable Timberwolves alumni still competing in the Conference Finals to keep an eye on. Some are obviously more beloved by Wolves fans than others.
These former Timberwolves are all still competing in the NBA Playoffs:
- Jimmy Butler
- Kevin Love
- D’Angelo Russell
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Malik Beasley
Out of the four remaining teams in the playoffs, five former Minnesota Timberwolves will be fighting for their right to compete in the NBA Finals in a few short weeks. Jimmy Butler and Kevin Love have joined forces with the Miami Heat, while D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley were all acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline in February. There are no Timberwolves alums with the Boston Celtics or Denver Nuggets.
Love, Vando and Beasley are all still relatively beloved by many within the Wolves fanbase. Most would probably be happy to see them succeed. It is Jimmy Butler and D’Angelo Russell that Minnesotans are more likely to have a problem with.
Of course, Butler’s dramatic exit from the Timberwolves organization is still leaving a bad taste in many fans’ mouths. And as for D’Lo, his recent comments did not earn him any new points with the fanbase either.
If any fans in Minnesota want to see these former Wolves face off in the Finals, they should be rooting for a rematch of the bubble championship when the Lakers took on the Heat in October 2020.