Every year, ESPN has its NBA Summer Forecast. They ask their NBA insiders to answer questions regarding the upcoming season. Today (August 25) was the first day for ESPN to roll out its forecast, which will span a few days. Somewhat surprisingly, the Minnesota Timberwolves landed on Team Turnaround.
Improvement by the team is likely to come from further improvement by Anthony Edwards
For Team Turnaround, insiders were asked to answer the question of which teams will make a major leap? A first-place vote got five, a second-place vote got three, and a third-place vote got one point. The Timberwolves came in at fifth with six points.
While it’s not known whether Minnesota received a first and third place vote, two seconds, or the other combinations that could get them to six, I believe those voters included the Wolves due to their belief in Anthony Edwards. At 24 years old, it can be expected that he can and will continue to improve as the leader of the team.
No player movement from the offseason would have Minnesota making the list. As a matter of fact, they lost a rotational player (Nickeil Alexander-Walker) and didn’t really gain one back. The selection of center Joan Beringer in the first-round seems like a long-term play, and he may not receive regular playing time as a rookie.
Instead, the team will be relying on extended playing time from some of their recent draft picks. Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jaylen Clark are exciting young players, but are still somewhat unknowns as to how they can handle regular playing time on a team hoping to contend for a championship.
So, without outside acquisitions, those voters likely believe that Edwards is ready for another leap in his game. Each of the last 21 champions has had a recent first-team All-NBA player on their roster. Ant-Man has made the second team each of the last two seasons.
Teams ahead of them have clear reasons as to why
It is more clearly understandable as to why the four teams ahead of the Timberwolves made their way on Team Turnaround. Those teams are the Spurs (55 points), Hawks (55), 76ers (49), and Magic (48).
The Spurs will be receiving back Victor Wembanyama, who was out after the All-Star break with deep vein thrombosis. They also drafted guard Dylan Harper with the second selection and added center Luke Kornet in free agency.
Atlanta’s offseason has pretty much been universally lauded. They poached Alexander-Walker away from the Timberwolves, traded for Kristaps Porziņģis, and also signed sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
VJ Edgecombe was brought in by Philadelphia with the third overall pick. The main reason that the 76ers are here, though, is the hope for better health from stars Joel Embiid and Paul George. Also, Jared McCain will be returning after looking like the league’s most impressive rookie until sustaining a torn meniscus in his left knee in mid-December.
Orlando had one clear and obvious need: outside shooting. They helped solve that major issue in their trade with the Grizzlies for Desmond Bane. Adding Tyus Jones also gives them one of the more reliable backup point guards in the league.
These four teams had a good amount more points than the Timberwolves, but at the same time, Minnesota finished ahead of 25 other teams.