When your superstar player is just 24 years old, your future should be a bright one. Anthony Edwards is signed through the 2028-29 season with the Timberwolves, and he will still be just 27 years old at the time. Coming off back-to-back conference finals appearances, the future seems to look bright for Minnesota. Despite that, ESPN seems to think somewhat differently.
Timberwolves ranked as having 11th-best future over next 3 years
On Tuesday, ESPN posted an article entitled NBA Future Power Rankings where analysts Kevin Pelton, Bobby Marks, and Tim Bontemps were asked to rate all 30 teams in five categories when looking at the next three seasons. Those five categories are players, money, draft, market, and management. The players category counted for 50% of the overall ranking.
The Timberwolves came in at 11th, which is a drop of three spots compared to last year’s rankings. Out of the 30 teams, this is where they ranked in each category:
- Players - 7th
- Money - 26th
- Draft - 28th
- Market - 30th
- Management - 10th
11th seems pretty low for a team coming off back-to-back conference finals appearances, and some of these category rankings don't add up. Notably, last month, ESPN slighted the Wolves by saying they are all in on winning a title before their window closes, as opposed to saying they have an extended window.
So the Timberwolves came in dead last when it comes to market. Throughout its history, Minnesota has struggled to add top-notch free agents. Part of the issue could be the cold weather that is experienced in the state. Maybe they didn't deserve to be last in the market category, but it's understandable why they don't receive a high mark.
Minnesota will likely keep its 2026 first-round pick, as the Jazz have the option to swap. Utah is expected to be one of the worst teams, though, so a swap is not expected to occur. In 2027, their first-round pick will either go to the Jazz or the Suns. It's pertinent that some of their recent draft picks hit and become vital parts of the rotation (Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark, Joan Beringer).
Being so low in draft, market, and money (which they describe as a team’s spending habits) is why the Timberwolves did not land in the top 10.
The Wolves a strong case to be above teams that came in ahead of them
It shouldn’t be a surprise that players are where the Timberwolves have the best ranking. Having a player who has already proven to be able to perform at a superstar level, like Edwards at a young age, always gives a fan base hope. He is surrounded by a solid second scoring option (Julius Randle), one of the better rim protectors (Rudy Gobert), one of the most productive bench players (Naz Reid), and an elite perimeter defender (Jaden McDaniels).
Management has the second-best ranking at 10th. Tim Connelly already helped build a championship-winning team in the Nuggets, even though he left the team a year before they won it all. He has also helped shape a contending team in Minnesota. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lowe are still new to the job of being owners, but they have made it fairly evident that they want to consistently have a winning squad.
While ESPN should be commended for this exercise, it just seems like the Timberwolves are a bit too low. The Clippers are fifth, and while they may be a playoff team again, the majority of their rotation is in their 30s (or in Chris Paul’s case, 40s). The Warriors, coming in at sixth, also have an older core. The Magic are seventh, and yes, they have young talent in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but they haven’t even won a playoff series since 2010. The Lakers, in eighth, do have Luka Dončić, but Minnesota disposed of them in 5 games in the opening round of the playoffs last season.