Why is Timberwolves training camp starting early this year?

It’s already September 7, 2023, which means that we should begin asking ourselves that annual question. When do the Minnesota Timberwolves start their annual training camp?  Well, that’s going to be a bit different for the Timberwolves this year compared to 28 other NBA teams.

While the Minnesota Timberwolves seemed to enter the 2022-23 NBA season cold, that is highly unlikely to occur this season.  Many members of the Minnesota Timberwolves have been quite active this summer in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Tournament. You can click this link here to get a breakdown of who was competing and for which teams.

But for the Timberwolves roster not engaged in international competition, the team will regroup in a matter of weeks. So when does training camp start this year?

When do NBA Training Camps start?

For 28 NBA teams, the official NBA starting date for training camp occurs on October 3, 2023. But in order for players to have the opportunity to step onto the basketball court, they are permitted to report to their respective teams a day early, at 11:00 am local time on October 2, 2023,

That affords those players the chance to show up, onboard, do any necessary paperwork, and get the workout schedule for the team’s training camp activities. Of course, many players remain in their home markets, as they have access to the team facilities and get a jump start at working out with new and returning teammates.

Timberwolves training camp starts early

Of course, that schedule will simply not work for the Minnesota Timberwolves this year.  The Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks will begin training camp one week early, on September 27, 2023. To afford players the opportunity to onboard in time to be ready for the beginning of early training camp, Timberwolves and Mavericks’ players can show up no earlier than 11:00 a.m. CT on September 26, 2023.

The early start to the Timberwolves training camp is due to the participation of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in the annual NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Those games pit two NBA teams in a pair of early preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island:

After the Timberwolves players finish up a summer of international competition, the entire Timberwolves roster should be well prepared to compete in any arena this season.

Training camp highlights

The Timberwolves roster is a far more comfortable blend of new faces or returning veterans and new additions. While the Timberwolves depth chart is likely already beginning to congeal, the team has a vast number of versatile players who can effectively start at any number of positions. So training camp will be vital to the Timberwolves’ success this season, as coaches and players test their limits and strengths.

So what does training camp look like? Well, we just so happen to have a video clip from last season.  Now keep in mind that this is the first day of training camp from last season and the pace of the players on the basketball court is relatively slow to allow for coachable moments to take place:

We already know that Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch intends to infuse more structure into the Timberwolves plays this season, a fact that he made a point to make in a recent interview with NBA analyst J.J. Redick.

We also know that the Timberwolves front office has made a number of deliberate moves to improve the team’s perimeter presence, bolster the team’s rebounding, and strengthen the team’s depth.

Still, questions remain. Who will be the primary backup point guard this season?  How will the Timberwolves deploy the multiple talents of rookie forward Leonard Miller? Is this the season that all of the hard work from center Luka Garza pays off?

Thankfully, Timberwolves fans get a jump on the NBA as the team will compete on October 5 and October 7 against the Dallas Mavericks.  This Timberwolves roster is loaded with talent and excitement this season.