Taking down the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night was a significant achievement for the Minnesota Timberwolves. It extended their winning streak to six games, and gave them the longest active winning streak in the Western Conference. In the midst of playing their best basketball of the season, the Wolves showed that they have what it takes to take down the most seasoned, veteran teams on the road, and proved that they are bound to be one of the most dangerous teams once the playoffs roll around.
But another thing this win reminded everyone of was just how deep this Timberwolves roster is. Of course, the players in the locker room have been the same since the start of the season. But given the injury troubles and how long it took guys like Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to acclimate, the collective talent was not going to mesh right away. Now that there has been time for the cake to bake, as Chris Finch has coined it, we are beginning to see more of what the ceiling of this group is.
Minnesota's top eight is as good as any team in the league, and five of those guys got in double figures in scoring against Denver. Anthony Edwards is an unquestioned top ten-level player. Jaden McDaniels' emergence has made him into a legitimate second option offensively, and Julius Randle's improved health since the start of the season has him looking like an All-Star level talent as well.
The Timberwolves' depth was on full display in win over Nuggets
That is a more than solid top three to head into the playoffs with. From there, the Timberwolves can boast some of the most impressive and high-level role players of any NBA team as well. Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo were both in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation at one point this season, and guys like Rudy Gobert and Nickeil Alexander-Walker both bring their own unique strong contributions on the defensive side.
Even in one of his least productive professional seasons, Mike Conley still brings an element of leadership and organization to the floor that cannot always be quanified in a box score. Finch is likely to roll with these top eight guys from here on out, but even the Wolves' young trio of Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark have shown promise in the opportunities they have gotten.
All things considered, you can easily make the argument that Minnesota owns the deepest roster in the entire NBA. As the playoffs approach, less and less teams are going to be comfortable lining up across the Timberwolves.