The Minnesota Timberwolves enter this season as a basketball experiment. While they solved some of their biggest flaws, nobody seems to know how it will play out on the court, which has led to a team trip to Paris, offseason workouts, and a lot of speculation about how everything will turn out.
But that also means there is plenty of upside if things go right. Adding LaMelo Ball to the backcourt gives Anthony Edwards the playmaker he’s dreamed of, and moves like trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid could also open opportunities for Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert to have increased roles in the offense.
With training camp approaching, the Timberwolves are adopting a significant amount of risk. Regardless, it’s a gamble that could pay off massively and either transform them into a contender in the Western Conference or leave them with even more questions going into next offseason.
The Timberwolves enter the season with some clear questions
The Timberwolves' list of potential issues is long going into the season. While everyone is fixated on how well the group will play together, there are several subplots that could determine how things turn out.
One of the biggest is Ball's acclimation. A flashy point guard during his time with the Charlotte Hornets, Ball has the playmaking ability that the Wolves have missed at the point guard position. Nevertheless, his questionable shot selection and high usage rates create some concerns, especially with several players who thrive with the ball in their hands.
Edwards is one of those players, but the Wolves shouldn’t have to worry about his involvement in the offense. But it’s fair to wonder if McDaniels has the extra gear that fans have been dreaming about and if Gobert can haul in enough lobs from Ball to have an increased offensive presence in the paint.
The addition of Jonathan Kuminga also comes with plenty of questions. An athletic forward who specializes in getting to the rim, Kuminga adds another weapon on the offensive end of the floor. But his defense was a big question and a point of contention with Steve Kerr during his time with the Golden State Warriors, leading some fans and analysts to question whether Kuminga’s inner thoughts (and desire to get paid next offseason) may win out.
A step forward by young players Joan Beringer, Jaylen Clark, and Terrence Shannon Jr. will also be necessary to make up for the loss of Reid, who was the Wolves’ top option off the bench. While Ayo Dosunmu can fill that role in the short term and Donte DiVincenzo could fill it when he returns from a torn Achilles, the bench may also need to find their roles entering the season before things come together.
The Wolves are set up for a memorable season one way or another
There are many ways the Timberwolves could pan out with all of these new pieces and familiar faces in new roles. But the biggest takeaway is that it has extreme boom-or-bust potential.
If Ball stays healthy, there’s a good chance that Edwards could be the biggest beneficiary. If Gobert, McDaniels and Kuminga thrive offensively, it could lead to fewer double teams and potentially serve as a springboard for an MVP-caliber season. In this event, it’s not hard to envision the Wolves winning 60 games – especially as a team that was a six seed in the playoffs despite their issues on the court and a long list of injuries.
If Ball gets hurt or the supporting cast can’t step up, it could lead to another disappointing season. The bottom falling out and the Wolves plunging toward the lottery is an unlikely scenario unless Edwards suffers a severe injury. However, it could leave the Wolves in a similar spot that they were in a year ago or even falling into the play-in tournament to fight for their postseason lives.
Whatever it is, it makes the Wolves an interesting group and an experiment that could lead to a memorable year if they make the playoffs or come up short of their lofty goals.
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