The two main themes of the Minnesota Timberwolves' offseason last year were continuity and internal growth.
Last season, the Timberwolves' idea of internal growth failed with Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark, and Rob Dillingham struggling to make consistent impacts as the Wolves tried to fill the void left behind by Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Eventually, they traded Dillingham, along with Leonard Miller and four second-round picks, for Ayo Dosunmu.
Needless to say, this year's offseason has been significantly different, with the Timberwolves trading for LaMelo Ball. However, the theme of internal growth remains at some level.
Of course, the Wolves traded Naz Reid and Julius Randle. Now, they are left with Jaden McDaniels and Trey Lyles as their lone forwards. Eventually, they'll add another forward either in free agency or via the trade market. How impactful a player they'll be able to find is a genuine question, though.
Unless they find an impactful addition (which isn't impossible), the Timberwolves will be heavily banking on growth from young players to fill their forward void and provide some quality bench play. Based on Tim Connelly saying the Wolves have internal left-field-ish options to fill their power forward void and that Chris Finch noted he doesn't envision McDaniels starting at the four, one of these young players could even be a starter.
Given that banking on internal growth failed last season, the Timberwolves will have to reverse their recent fortunes to reach their championship aspirations.
Growth from young players will be vital for the Timberwolves to level up
To be clear, LaMelo is a fantastic addition, and his high-end playmaking and creation alongside Anthony Edwards should be a game-changer. Regardless, to be a top-tier team, the Wolves need quality forward play and a quality bench.
Let's be optimistic and say the Timberwolves manage to sign LeBron James or pull off a late-offseason trade for someone like P.J. Washington (I'm trying to manifest a move). As great as adding someone like Washington would be, the Timberwolves would still need a productive bench, which requires internal growth.
Sure, if the Timberwolves land a starting-level PF, Dosunmu could be the perfect super sub. Unfortunately, we saw last year that having one consistent bench scorer isn't nearly good enough.
Before landing Ayo at the trade deadline, Reid was the Wolves' lone consistent bench scorer. Minnesota's bench struggled, ranking 23rd in bench points. In the modern NBA, it's vital to have a deep team, as we've seen from every champion this decade. If the Wolves don't find bench production from their young players, this could limit their upside.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is perhaps the clearest candidate to become a high-end bench scorer. Regardless, is he skilled enough to justify empowering him more on the ball, and if not, how can he handle an off-ball role? Can Bones Hyland become more consistent? Will Jaylen Clark become more playable on offense? Is Josh Green anything more than a low-usage 3-and-D wing? Does Isaiah Evans have any chance of becoming a rotational player?
These are all pressing questions about possible Wolves bench players. And these concerns could reach another level if they don't land a quality forward, shifting at least one of these players to a PF role, maybe even in the starting five.
None of this accounts for what's perhaps the Timberwolves' most important gamble on internal growth: Joan Beringer becoming a dependable backup center. They have no reasonable solution if he proves to be too raw. Thanks to his blend of athleticism, rim-running, rebounding, and rim protection, Beringer should be ready for a bigger role. He's 19, though, and there could be some real growing pains.
Among the many factors that will contribute to the Timberwolves' success, the development of their young players will be a crucial one. While this gamble backfired last season, there's a chance it works out this time around.
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