The Minnesota Timberwolves are atop the Western Conference and looking like a serious contender, but not every player is living up to expectations. Anthony Edwards is becoming a superstar, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert appear to have worked out playing together. Mike Conley is a key leader and glue for Wolves, but they need their role players to step up if Minnesota plans on making a deep playoff run.
The Timberwolves could make a trade to upgrade their roster but are light on assets after paying a massive freight for Gobert. The Western Conference is loaded and the defending champion Nuggets are still the favorites. Minnesota can make a run, and the franchise’s easiest path is making it work with their current roster.
These players are not living up to expectations thus far and must play better if the Timberwolves are going to make a serious title run in 2024.
4. Jordan McLaughlin
Trading for Mike Conley has been massive for the Timberwolves. The veteran point guard is an outstanding playmaker, leader, and offensive engine. Without him, Minnesota would not be first in the West, and they desperately need a reliable backup. Conley is 36 years old and played 51 or fewer games in three of the last six seasons.
McLaughlin is the nominal backup on their roster, but he has appeared in just 13 games this season. Anthony Edwards and Kyle Anderson have handled the playmaking duties behind Conley as the six-foot guard has been glued to the bench. McLaughlin has not done much when given a chance. He is shooting 38.1 percent from the field and averages just 1.7 points and 1.5 assists per game.
If Conley misses time someone has to step up. Jordan McLaughlin has been a reserve point guard for four years, and the Minnesota Timberwolves need him to play better whenever his number is called.
3. Troy Brown Jr.
The Timberwolves upgraded their wing depth in the offseason by signing Brown Jr. and Shake Milton, drafting Leonard Miller, and bringing back Nickeil Alexander-Walker. They wanted role players behind Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels who offered floor spacing and defensive versatility.
Brown Jr. inked a two-year contract worth $8 million, but his minutes continue to decline. He has stayed in the rotation but hasn’t been on the floor for more than ten minutes in a game since Dec. 16. For the season, Brown Jr. averages 4.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in just 12.7 minutes per game, and it is unclear if Minnesota will even bring him back for year two of his deal.
Last season, he played 24.5 each night for the Lakers as he averaged 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.8 steals and shot 38.1 percent from 3-point range. He slipped from their playoff rotation, but the 24-year-old is still improving.
The Minnesota Timberwolves hoped he could play 20-plus minutes per game (subscription required) and give them a switchable defender who spaces the floor. The 6’6 wing is underperforming expectations and on the fringes of their rotation. Minnesota could be in a tough spot with their second unit if Troy Brown Jr. or one of their offseason wing additions do not step up quickly.
2. Shake Milton
Milton got the most money this summer as he signed a two-year contract worth $10 million. He is Minnesota’s seventh-highest-paid player this season and excelled playing 20 minutes per game for the 76ers for four straight seasons. He slipped from Philadelphia’s playoff rotation last season, and things have not gone as planned in Minnesota.
Milton began the regular season in the rotation, but he has struggled to hit shots and make plays. The 27-year-old is averaging 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.9 turnovers in 14.5 minutes per game while shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 27.1 percent on his 3-point tries. Milton’s poor play has caused him to slip from the rotation and likely puts his contract firmly on the trade block ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline.
The 6’5 wing should be in his prime and is a career 35.9 percent 3-point shooter. He has shown some secondary playmaking ability and offers defensive versatility. Things have just not worked in Minnesota. It happens to role players, especially ones with inconsistent jumpers like Milton.
Shake Milton will get another crack in the Timberwolves rotation, but can he start making shots? He has certainly underperformed expectations and could have a new home after the trade deadline.
1. Kyle Anderson
The Timberwolves have several difficult financial decisions ahead, and it could start at the deadline. They have $185.3 million committed in salary for the 2024-25 season without Mike Conley or Kyle Anderson on their books. Minnesota needs a point guard but will be over the second tax apron if they try to bring back both players.
Anderson is on a $9.5 million expiring contract and in the middle of arguably the worst season of his career. His 46.5 effective field goal percentage is his lowest since his rookie campaign in 2015, and he is shooting just 12.5 percent from 3-point range through 33 games. Anderson often draws the ire of Wolves fans on social media, and his production is down across the board.
He is still playing a key role. The Timberwolves need his secondary playmaking and versatility, but likely cannot afford to keep him beyond this season. Does Minnesota explore his market before the deadline in hopes of getting something back in return? If not, the Wolves need his play to improve to make a deep playoff run.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are having a breakout season, but can they carry it over to the playoffs? The franchise has been bounced in the first round for two straight years. They will be judged on how they perform in the postseason, so stay tuned.