One-sentence progress reports for every player on the Wolves roster
By Austin McGee
What a season it's been in Minneapolis. Throughout the offseason, many pundits had lost faith in the Minnesota Timberwolves, stemming from the trade for All-Star center Rudy Gobert a year prior.
In the Summer of 2022, the Timberwolves mortgaged their future to contend in the present. Minnesota sent several rotation players and four first-rounders in exchange for the Utah Jazz big man. In his first season playing for the Wolves, Gobert's newfound partnership with franchise stalwart Karl-Anthony Towns was seldom seen.
Towns dealt with an injury for the majority of last season and the roster failed to build chemistry leading a to swift first-round exit in the playoffs. This season has seen far different results. The Timberwolves stand-alone, atop the Western Conference standings.
Anthony Edwards and Towns were selected to the All-Star Game, head coach Chris Finch coached the West's All-Stars, and Gobert is the frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year award. All in all, it's been a successful season, to say the least.
While a lot can be said for each player on the squad, we'll provide a one-sentence progress report for every player on the Timberwolves roster below.
The Starters
Anthony Edwards
Edwards ascended to superstardom in year four as he's led the Timberwolves to the best record in the West and done so with one of the best personalities in the league.
Karl-Anthony Towns
An impressive and extremely efficient comeback season for the 28-year-old big man that'll likely result in the deepest playoff run of his nine-year career.
Rudy Gobert
A perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who's reshaped the Minnesota defense into the best unit in all of the NBA.
Mike Conley Jr.
The ole' reliable and ever-steady Conley Jr. is exactly what the young Wolves roster needed to take the next step.
Jaden McDaniels
Long and rangy defender whose offensive game hasn't quite taken off how some would've expected after signing a big extension in the offseason.
The Reserve Guards
Monte Morris
The newest addition to the squad who'll come in and display the same shot-making and mistake-free decision-making as Conley Jr.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
His transformation from a shot-chucker to an efficient, 3-and-D player has been a revelation for the Timberwolves.
Jordan McLaughlin
Perhaps a Minnesota lifer who'll provide consistent minutes as the third-string point guard and the backup guard spot in a pinch.
The Reserve Bigs
Kyle Anderson
The disappointing beginning to the season has left some fans soured, but his recent all-around improvement is exciting if it's a sign of what's to come.
Naz Reid
Sweet-shooting guard in a big man's body who'll compete for 6th Man of the Year awards for numerous seasons.
The Youth
Leonard Miller
The most intriguing prospect on the Wolves' roster is a 6-foot-10, 20-year-old who will likely be a consistent contributor sooner rather than later.
Josh Minnott
The second-year forward has impressed in the G-League and will challenge for a rotation spot next season.
Wendell Moore Jr.
Moore Jr. has the prestige of a former first-rounder, yet he's struggled to make his mark in the NBA, only appearing 43 games over two seasons.
Two-Way Players
Luka Garza
Dominant G-Leaguer with incredible stats stuck behind a trio of excellent bigs.
Jaylen Clark
Unknown prospect due to injury, but the intrigue is there.
Daishen Nix
Young prospect, only 22, with much to prove.
The New Guy
Justin Jackson
Long-time NBA veteran who can stick around if his shot happens to be falling.
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