Out with the old . . .
Timberwolves shooting guard Jaylen Nowell was one of the worst players in the NBA that got regular minutes. With a usage rating of 25.1 percent, Nowell had flashes but was largely atrocious with a 28.9 percent accuracy from the perimeter, paired with a 115.8 defensive rating. The Timberwolves struggled to shoot from beyond the arc and to defend opposing teams from scoring treys. Nowell was not helping the cause.
Losing the versatility of power forward Taurean Prince hurts. He was everything you could ask for in a locker-room veteran, but he too struggled with inconsistencies and is massively overrated as a defender. While he can hold his well against bigger and stronger wings, he is largely ineffective against anything else on the perimeter and finished 73rd overall in defensive real plus-minus at his position. Yes, 73rd. And the Timberwolves needed help banging the boards, an area that Prince was sorely lacking.
. . . and in with the new
Incoming combo guard Shake Milton offers a steadier, more consistent presence to the bench with a broader offensive bag. He may not be the mid-range maestro that Nowell was but he’s a much more potent offensive initiator, shooter, and finisher at the rim. And in terms of defense? He is a far stronger defensive presence on the basketball court.
Newly minted Timberwolves wing Troy Brown Jr. may not have the top-end capability of Prince, but he offers a steady presence as a capable rebounder, and is an able replacement for Prince in transition and as a corner 3 specialist where he shot 40 percent last season.
The Timberwolves did not get worse. At first glance, a team that held pace at .500 for the entire year appears properly placed in the mid-teens. Though I believe that these rankings fall a bit too low.
So, let’s dive into why you shouldn’t be sleeping on the Wolves like the rest of the national media.