Wednesday night saw a Timberwolves wild comeback fall short as Austin Reaves hit the buzzer-beating game-winner to give the Lakers a 116-115 victory. The loss dropped the Wolves to a game under .500.
While Mike Conley hit a big 3-pointer and dished out an excellent pass to Jaden McDaniels for a slam late in the fourth quarter, his play along with the other point guards has mostly been uninspiring through five games. It’s something that Bill Simmons recently talked about.
Bill Simmons has concerns with the Wolves' point guards
On the most recent episode of his podcast, Simmons had Tim Legler as a guest, where they spoke on a plethora of NBA topics. When they got to the Timberwolves, Simmons spoke bluntly about the team's PG situation.
"The Minnesota guard situation is a real thing, Simmons said. (Mike) Conley being a year older, and you could feel it the last couple of years anyway…I just couldn’t believe Bones Hyland was playing over (Rob) Dillingham, a guy they gave up a real asset for. It’s Year 2, and I thought he had a couple moments last year. I thought Minnesota, to me, was a true contender…the guard situation left me nervous for that team because they’re missing something."
Now, the podcast was recorded before Wednesday’s loss against the Lakers. Dillingham doubled Hyland’s minutes in that outing (16 to 8). Both finished with eight points, as did Conley, who has reentered the starting lineup for the last 2 games with Anthony Edwards sidelined with a strained hamstring.
Still, it was Dillingham who received a DNP - CD in the season opener and has just yet to receive the full trust of Chris Finch. Will he still be in the rotation when Edwards (and Jaylen Clark) return from injury?
Look to upgrade by trade deadline?
The season is still in its infancy stage. Minnesota has played just five games and has 77 remaining. The hope is that their 24-year-old superstar in Edwards, won’t have to miss too many more contests.
Still, if you had to name a clear need for teams that were expected to contend entering the season, the Timberwolves at point guard would be one of the more obvious ones. Again, with the season being just a couple of weeks old, it’s hard to know the floor generals that are going to be available.
As we get closer to the trade deadline, it should become more evident, and unless things suddenly change for the Wolves’ lead guards, expect most of those available point guards to be linked to Minnesota.