One of the more underrated aspects of Anthony Edwards' injury is how it affects the Minnesota Timberwolves' ability to get to the free-throw line. According to Databallr, Edwards ranks in the 89th percentile for free-throw attempts per 100 possessions—last year, he was in the 98th percentile. That's obviously a massive number, and it helps the Wolves put points on the board even if they aren't shooting well.
LaMelo Ball's lack of rim pressure hurts his ability to get to the line. Despite his ability to get to the rim, Ayo Dosunmu struggles to draw fouls. Fortunately, Terrence Shannon Jr. thrives at getting to the line. With Ant out for the next two or so months, the Wolves will have to lean on this skill.
Relevantly, Shannon ranks in the 98th percentile for free-throw attempts per 100 possessions—last year, he was in the 92nd percentile. During the Wolves' first game without Edwards, Shannon got to the line at will, attempting 10 free throws. As a team, the Wolves attempted 27, and nobody else had more than five.
The Wolves' offense was dry, and their shots weren't falling. Shannon himself didn't have much success shooting from the field, as he shot just 5-for-13. Regardless, his ability to get to the line allowed him to score 19 points and helped the Wolves fight back as they ultimately fell short, 119-114, to the Golden State Warriors.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is vital to the Timberwolves' success without Anthony Edwards
All things considered, Shannon has been super impressive to start the season. He is averaging 14.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Shannon has been empowered on the ball, and he's handled this role well. Furthermore, his complementary skills like spot-up shooting and defense have improved.
Honestly, I had my doubts about Shannon before the season, but he's proven me dead wrong, and he's made a stellar all-around impact.
With Ant sidelined, though, the Wolves will lean on his on-ball abilities even more. While Shannon lacks control at times, he is gifted at generating rim pressure due to his blend of speed and power. He also doesn't shy away from physicality, as evidenced by his free-throw rate.
Between his self-creation chops and his knack for drawing fouls, Shannon will be immensely valuable for the Timberwolves without Ant. He already played an important role off the bench, but he's now truly indispensable.
I don't expect the Wolves' offense to look as bad as it did in the first half of the Warriors' game. However, it's more than fair to expect it to be drier without Edwards. Therefore, getting to the line for some easy scoring opportunities becomes more vital, and Shannon has proven that he can do this.
Plus, with LaMelo as the first option, the team could become too 3-point dependent. Shannon's rim pressure and aptitude for drawing fouls will help ensure these problems don't get out of hand.
At this point, Shannon is one of the team's better creators, and the Wolves must lean into this skill. He gives the Wolves some creation and variety without Ant.
Ultimately, as the Timberwolves try to stay afloat without their superstar, Shannon's ability to create offense for himself and get to the line will help them accomplish this goal.
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