Recently, Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton of ESPN released their tiers for what every NBA team is "all in" on chasing. Shockingly, they had the Minnesota Timberwolves in the "All in on... winning a championship before the window closes" tier alongside the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. This ranking significantly ignores the Wolves' young talent and that Anthony Edwards has yet to reach his prime.
"Minnesota, meanwhile, is one of the trickier teams to classify. Franchise player Anthony Edwards will spend another season on our top 25 players under 25 list, which doesn't exactly scream "win now." But the Wolves have traded most of their draft capital to keep this team together, are butting up against the salary cap's second apron and must figure out eventual replacements for both Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, whose arrivals have helped lift Minnesota to back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference finals," ESPN wrote.
The Timberwolves have a younger roster than both the Nuggets and Bucks, so pairing them with the group doesn't add up. Moreover, in the NBA, you are on your star's timeline, and Anthony Edwards turns 25 on August 6. While Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert are aging, the Wolves do have natural replacements for them in Rob Dillingham and Joan Beringer.
Yes, those players (especially Beringer) might not be ready to take the reins now, but in a few years they should be and Dillingham could be as sooner as this year. ESPN's point about the Wolves' draft capital is somewhat valid. However, it's worth noting that Minnesota only owes one unprotected first-round pick, so they still have a chance to add young talent via the draft.
The Wolves have impressive young talent
Placing the Wolves in either the two timelines tier or the extended window tier would have been more logical. Surprisingly, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers were both in the two timelines tier, which is curious given their lack of young talent. ESPN noted the financial flexibility both teams have as the reason behind this. However, the Wolves' superior young talent and the financial flexibility that Julius Randle's three-year $100 million contract offers them give them a clear case to be in the two timelines tier.
ESPN is severely underrating the Wolves' young talent. As noted, Dillingham and Beringer are two high upside young guys equipped to replace Minnesota's older players. Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark are two talented young wings. These four players can help sustain success once guys like Conley and Gobert age out of the Wolves' core. Furthermore, Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid are all 25 or younger. Reid turns 26 before the start of the season, but the point still stands: Minnesota is suited to compete now and in the future.
Placing the Wolves in the same tier as the aging Nuggets and Bucks glosses over their young talent. Neither the Nuggets nor the Bucks have as many productive young players 26 years old or younger as the Wolves do. Plus, Edwards is far younger than Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ultimately, the Wolves are well-positioned for long-term success, and people should start to take note of that.