Why an NBA championship is the Timberwolves' to lose after last season

Maybe in a somewhat delusional way, I like the Wolves' odds against any of these squads. But it is also hard to imagine a playoff series against any one of them being a cakewalk. 

I try to stay away from betting odds, but for the sake of the article let's look at the Wolves' projected win total for next season. DraftKings Sportsbook currently has the line at 52.5 wins, tied with the Nuggets and only behind the Thunder at 54.5. This mark is more than possible, especially with some solid upgrades outside of the Wolves’ core pieces. 

The Wolves were quiet in free agency, only bringing in Joe Ingles, P.J. Dozier and re-signing Luka Garza. The key departures include Kyle Anderson, Monte Morris, and Jordan McLaughlin.

Small tweaks highlighted the Timberwolves' offseason

Ingles is an underrated pick-up. The former Utah Jazz forward was one of the best sixth men in the league just before his Achilles injury and has the experience of playing alongside Conley and Gobert.

Despite an Achilles injury being a death sentence for some NBA players, especially those on the wrong side of thirty years old, Ingles was a fantastic vet last year in Orlando. Essentially taking Anderson's role of a backup wing with playmaking capabilities, Ingles should fill those minutes nicely, with the bonus of being a great shooter.

Despite a subdued free agency, the front office had a fantastic draft that should address some key concerns, specifically that of shot creation. President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly has been known to hit on his draft picks, and fans will be hoping that's the case with 27th overall pick Terrance Shannon Jr., and most notably eighth overall pick Rob Dillingham.

Dillingham will be a shoo-in for minutes, and with how Shannon looked during summer league, you'd have to imagine he’ll be a contender for bench production as well. Rob is considered by many to be the perfect pick for the Wolves. Point guard Mike Conley, while still producing at a high level, is at the tail end of his career. Rob will be able to back up one of the smartest point guards of this generation, who can hopefully prepare him to be the starting point guard once Conley moves on. 

Minnesota now stands as a tried-and-true contender

Terrance Shannon Jr. is already considered a steal by Wolves fans given where he was drafted. The combo guard is already a well-rounded offensive player, a good shooter who can drive through contact. And when mentioning the Wolves’ young guys, it is hard to forget about second-year wing Leonard Miller. Miller was the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Despite not getting real rotation minutes yet, many people including myself are very excited about the potential displayed by this young man.

Miller averaged 21 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists through his last three summer league outings. The Canadian-born hooper also showed out in the G-League last year with averages of 20.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. With a 6-foot-10 frame and a great demeanor, the 20-year-old could be a serious part of this franchise’s future, even if not everyone knows it yet. 

Despite the plethora of young players, vets like Gobert, Conley, and Towns understand the urgency of winning now. With a bona fide superstar in Anthony Edwards, veterans looking to finally get over the hump and contributing young pieces, the championship window is open, and who knows when it will close.