Timberwolves have a Kyle Anderson problem on their hands with a simple solution

I think the vast majority of Minnesota Timberwolves fans were excited to see Kyle Anderson return to the team via the buyout market. Regardless, how big of a role Anderson was going to play was up for debate. It was clear that the Timberwolves could benefit from his extra playmaking and versatile defense. Still, his floor spacing made his role fairly questionable.

In six games with the Wolves, Anderson is averaging 14.7 minutes, 2.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. On top of this, he has not shot one single 3-pointer. 

The lack of floor spacing Anderson has provided has been extremely problematic. Being a complete non-threat helps opposing defenses send the house at the Wolves' stars. And frankly, Chris Finch isn't doing Anderson any favors with the lineups he puts Anderson with. 

Currently, 89.1 percent of Anderson's possessions have come next to Julius Randle or Rudy Gobert. Given both players' limitations as shooters (and Randle's similar role as a playmaker), these combinations don't optimize Anderson's skill set. It's a small sample size, but the Timberwolves are 11.1 points per 100 possessions worse with Anderson on the floor. Going forward, Finch should either play Anderson with Naz Reid more often or abandon his minutes entirely. 

Props to Jake Paynting for some great analysis on the Rudy-Anderson combo. 

The Timberwolves must play Kyle Anderson with Naz Reid more

As noted, the Wolves could use extra playmaking and defensive versatility, and Anderson certainly provides that. Likewise, his basketball IQ is also fantastic. Nevertheless, in the modern NBA, you can't have more than one non-shooter on the court. If teams are already exposing this flaw in the regular season, things are bound to get worse in the playoffs.

Managing Anderson's minutes to a point where he never plays with Randle or Gobert is unrealistic. However, these opportunities should be limited rather than commonplace. Pairing Anderson with Reid more often seems logical, given Naz's floor spacing abilities. 

Thus far, only 14.2 percent of Anderson's possessions have come next to Reid and without Gobert and Randle. The Wolves have a minus-3.7 net rating in these lineups. That's not great, but it's much more palatable than other lineups featuring Anderson (minus-14 with Randle and minus-35.2 with Gobert). 

Currently, Anderson seems to be the Timberwolves' situational eighth man (along with Bones Hyland). In the playoffs, I'd be surprised if he plays any more than 15 minutes a night, but to maximize these minutes, Anderson must play next to Reid more often. Otherwise, his spot within the rotation might not be safe.