Minnesota Timberwolves: Real or Fake?
The Minnesota Timberwolves cannot truly be judged until they finish constructing their roster. Fully healthy, their starting rotation of D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Karl-Anthony Towns is definitely talented enough to be a threat in the Western Conference, but regardless, their bench is still weak. Still, the status of the Timberwolves in the Western Conference is a real storyline entering training camp.
Patrick Beverley and Taurean Prince are two veterans they added that should help improve the T-Wolves defensively but do not forget, Minnesota is a team that seems to be “all-in” on adding Ben Simmons. This would likely force them to part ways with Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels, but pairing Simmons up with two other #1 overall picks in Edwards and Towns could make the Timberwolves a real playoff team for once.
Since the 2004-05 season, Minnesota has made the playoffs just once in 2018, and quite honestly, they are right on par with the Sacramento Kings in terms of being near the bottom of the league standings year after year. The Kings are about to have a historic season, as they will be missing the playoffs for the 16th consecutive year, but the Timberwolves actually have a chance to change their fortune for once.
Whether it be by adding Simmons or filling out the remainder of their roster with other key talents, the Timberwolves have a solid foundation in place to begin winning games. Just look at how they finished last season.
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With D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, and Karl-Anthony Towns all playing to finish the year, Minnesota went 9-7 in the final month of the regular season, which is not terrible given their lack of production over the years. They even won four straight games over the Jazz twice, Rockets, and Warriors in this span!
Bringing back Jarred Vanderbilt seems like a move that Minnesota will make before training camp rolls around, and they will likely guarantee the contract of Jaylen Nowell, who played really well in Summer League. However, the Timberwolves would still have some open roster spots to fill.
They will need more frontcourt help next to Karl-Anthony Towns, which is why the Timberwolves could trade for a veteran big man, or look at guys like DeMarcus Cousins, Mike Scott, Bismack Biyombo, and/or Isaiah Hartenstein as potential free-agent signings.
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This upcoming year, Minnesota has a chance to be a real team and actually contend for a play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference, but they may still be one key piece away from doing so. Ben Simmons is that player they still need, which is why the Timberwolves should continue to push for a trade with the 76ers.
