In 19 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kyle Anderson is averaging 4.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Counting stats will never tell the full story with Anderson, though. To this point, anyone who has closely watched the Wolves during this stretch would know that Anderson has been a vital part of the team.
Anderson's versatility is the primary reason that his impact exceeds that of the traditional box score. The Wolves have often used him as their backup center on defense, and he's been a stabilizing force during the non-Rudy Gobert minutes. Anderson's blend of rim protection and switchability makes him highly impactful on defense.
Notably, per Cleaning the Glass, the Timberwolves' defensive rating ranks in the 72nd percentile with Anderson and without Gobert, but just the 13th percentile without Gobert and Anderson. In addition to his extra rim protection and switchability, Anderson is a high-level rebounder.
On offense, though, Anderson is a playmaking hub and a connective piece. Playing such different roles on both sides of the court is a testament to Anderson's versatility, and it's a trait that will continue to uplift Minnesota in the postseason.
Kyle Anderson is poised to make a positive impact with his versatility
It's fair to wonder if Anderson's lack of shooting will hinder him in the playoffs. However, Anderson's two-way versatility should allow him to impact the game in a positive manner. Whether the Timberwolves draw the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers in the first-round, it's fair to expect Anderson to play a sizable role.
Anderson's versatile impact should uplift the Wolves regardless of the matchup. In a possible matchup against the Nuggets specifically, though, Anderson's value will be immense. Within all likelihood, Slo Mo will be tasked with guarding Nikola Jokic at times. Containing Jokic (to some degree) is central to the Wolves' chances of upsetting the Nuggets, and Anderson might be the Wolves' secret weapon.
Regardless of the matchup, Anderson's connective playmaking is a skill that will always uplift the Wolves, especially given that their ball movement oftentimes dries up. Both the Nuggets and Lakers have poor defense, but Anderson's passing can further expose this weakness and create open shots for his teammates.
At the surface level, Anderson might seem like a minor rotational player for the Wolves. However, he is highly impactful in his unique role. Likewise, the Wolves need both his connective playmaking and versatile defense to win at the highest level. If the Timberwolves advance past the first-round (and perhaps even further), it wouldn't be a shocker if Anderson was a key reason as to why.