The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in a tough spot. Still trying to make all the pieces fit after a roster-shaking move from just before the season began, there are plenty of challenges. Anthony Edwards has not looked quite like himself recently, and the offense has plenty of room for growth.
With that said, there have also been some big moments of success for this group that give Wolves fans hope for the future. The in-game adjustments made against the Houston Rockets last week are a great example. Going with a different group down the stretch allowed Minnesota to erase a 16-point deficit in the final six minutes of game time.
As we look around the roster, it is clear that there are many possibilities when it comes to how different guys can be used in a way that contributes to winning basketball. With time, we are seeing that Josh Minott has also become one of those winning contributors.
It may have sounded like a far-fetched assertion even just a couple of months ago, but Minott has very obviously made some big strides in his game. Coming into the 2024-25 season as a fringe-rotational guy, Josh is now earning double-digit minutes on a near-nightly basis. In the last three contests in a row, Chris Finch has gotten the third-year swingman on the floor in the second half.
Josh Minott has grown tremendously
Minott has made his presence known on both sides of the basketball. Against the Celtics on Thursday, he drove past Jrue Holiday for a two-handed slam, then made a terrific one-on-one defensive play to block Derrick White just a few minutes later. Finch has clearly taken notice of how Minott has elevated his level of play.
"Josh’s activity cutting and moving has been great, defense gets better every time he’s out there," Finch said on Thursday night. For a team that bases so much of its identity on defense, this is really not a small statement. And while he may not be a prolific scorer right now, Minott's contributions on the offensive end of the floor have been notable as well.
"Great activity, gives us a great transition threat, great cutter, gives us great feel off the ball," said Finch in an appearance on KFAN 100.3 on Thursday morning. "Just kind of fitting in where the game needs him and staying ready to knock down some shots ... He's been shooting the ball extremely well since the summertime."
We know that Minott's improvement is not going to solve all of Minnesota's problems in the grand scheme of things. But the concept of him becoming a legit guy Finch can rely on in close games was not thought to even be a possibility by many for the previous two seasons. As he continues to improve and make an impact, he could change the equation for the Timberwolves.