With the NBA season approaching, every team is facing some questions that will influence how successful a year they have. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, it undoubtedly comes down to how impactful their young players will be.
Coming off back-to-back conference finals appearances, the Wolves are aiming to make a title jump. However, they will be counting on Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark to play bigger roles.
After losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, the Wolves didn't find a replacement on the open market other than Johnny Juzang, who is on a training camp deal. As a result, they are expecting Shannon and Clark to play sizable roles. While this also opens up more minutes for Dillingham, his path to minutes is more connected to Mike Conley getting a reduced role at 38 years old.
Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark will get bigger roles, but are they ready for it?
This young trio is talented; however, none of them played much last season. Clark played 13.1 minutes in his de facto rookie season, appearing in 40 games. Shannon and Dillingham received 10.6 and 10.5 minutes per game, respectively. Additionally, Shannon played in 32 games, and Dillingham played in 49, with both players often getting DNPs. Regardless, both players can provide some needed extra shot creation, and Dillingham can provide some playmaking.
Clark and Shannon can contribute immediately at 23 and 25, respectively. Plus, both players showed solid flashes of their upside last year. Clark is an active on-ball defender who netted 43.1 percent, and Shannon scored 35 points in 37 minutes during the last three games of the Western Conference finals. Still, it's worth wondering if they can fully make up for the loss of Alexander-Walker, who is one of the best role players.
Dillingham, the 2024 lottery pick, is the most talented of the bunch. However, there are also more questions about the 20-year-old, given his age and slight 6-foot-1 frame. Point guard play has been a flaw of the Wolves over the past two years, especially last year. As a gifted three-level scorer with blazing downhill speed and playmaking chops, Dillingham has the skill set to solve the Wolves' flaws. He averaged 4.5 points and 2 assists in his limited minutes last season.
The Kentucky product gives the Wolves a different element from Conley, who is coming off a season where he averaged career lows in minutes and points. Nevertheless, it's worth wondering if Dillingham can hold up on defense and if he's ready to be a lead decision maker, especially for a team with title hopes.
Dillingham's play is likely the biggest factor out of these three young players. If Dillingham makes strides with a bigger role, Minnesota can be one of the best teams in the West. However, if not, the Wolves might have to make a move, or they could be in for an underwhelming season. Overall, Dillingham's role, combined with how TSJ and Clark will be able to replace Alexander-Walker, will significantly impact the Wolves' season and title hopes.