B/R confirms that Timberwolves young core surpasses that of Jazz (and 21 other teams)

Wolves players 25 years old and younger

Fast forward a year later, or at least part of a year later. At the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline, the Timberwolves exchanged 27-year-old PG D’Angelo Russell for 35-year-old PG Mike Conley Jr. and 24-year-old SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker. That was just the appetizer.

The Timberwolves released 29-year-old PF Taurean Prince and signed 23-year-old Troy Brown Jr. The team did not resign 24-year-old SG Jaylen Nowell, instead drafting 21-year-old SG Jaylen Clark. The team did not extend 30-year-old veteran guard Austin Rivers, opting instead to sign 26-year-old guard Shake Milton. And then, the team drafted 19-year-old wonder power forward/center Leonard Miller for the cherry on top.

Isn’t the goal of any NBA Draft merely to infuse young talent into an NBA team’s roster each year? If so, then without the benefit of a first-round draft pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, how do you explain the Minnesota Timberwolves’ sudden youth movement?

1. SG Anthony Edwards (21)
2. SF Jaden McDaniels (22)
3. C Naz Reid (23)
4. Wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker (24)
5. SF/PF Troy Brown Jr (23)
6. Wing Wendell Moore Jr (21)
7. PF Josh Minott (20)
8. F/C Leonard Miller (19)
9. SG Jaylen Clark (21)

While that is not all of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ starting 5, it is a huge portion of the team and shows just how incredibly effective Timberwolves President Tim Connelly has been since arriving.

Just for the record, the first-round picks from the group include Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Troy Brown, and Wendell Moore Jr., while Leonard Miller and Jaylen Clark both had first-round draft pick projections.  As for Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Josh Minott, do not let their draft selection fool you.  All three are proving to be better and better basketball players each year.