Led by Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals last season for the 2nd time in franchise history.
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Offseason
- Re-signing: Luka Garza
- Additions: F Julis Randle (trade), G Donte DiVincenzo (trade), P.J. Dozier (free agent), Joe Ingles (free agent)
- Draft: Rob Dillingham (No. 8), Terrence Shannon (No. 27)
- Departures: Kyle Anderson (to Warriors), Jordan McLaughlin (to Kings), Wendell Moore Jr. (to Pistons), Monte Morris (to Suns), Karl-Anthony Towns (to Knicks)
- Unsigned Free Agents: T.J. Warren
Last season
For only the second time in franchise history, the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals and did so after spending much of a 56-win regular season sitting atop the West or close enough. All told, it was a benchmark moment for the Wolves, who haven’t delivered this amount of quality hoops for much of their existence.
Anthony Edwards emerged as a next-gen superstar capable of excelling at both ends and winning in crunch time. The big man combo of Rudy Gobert (2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year) and Karl-Anthony Towns flourished, Naz Reid won the league’s Kia Sixth Man honors and Jaden McDaniels was recognized as a top on-ball defender. A best-case scenario was in the cards for the Wolves, and it showed.
Summer summary
Tim Connelly’s first big move as Wolves president generated much discussion a few years ago and not all of it positive — sending a haul of picks and players for Gobert. Since then, Connelly’s work has drawn applause, and in hindsight, the Gobert trade worked (so far).
His follow-up was an even bigger splash — sending Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Towns is among the league’s most productive big men, certainly the finest shooter, and squarely in his prime. That said, he was underwhelming for stretches of the playoffs and his max contract kicks in now. This was a trade that involved money, therefore, to avoid tax issues and add future cap flexibility.
With no money for free agents and only the 27th pick in the Draft, Connelly maneuvered his way into the No. 8 pick and used it on Dillingham, a creative guard and perhaps heir apparent to Mike Conley. It only costs a 2031 first-round pick and a swap — cheap for a title contender — and no rotational pieces.
Rookie profile
Introducing Rob Dillingham of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Spotlight on
Randle is a solid post-player with a pair of All-NBA teams to his credit. He’s at his best when running downhill for buckets — he’s a legit 20-point scorer in any system — and crashing the glass for rebounds. However, he’s coming off an injury-interrupted season and is looking for a contract extension.
How far can the Wolves go?
Once again, the defense will determine how deep the Wolves travel into spring and summer. The Wolves are built to be epic on that side of the court and Edwards is just entering his prime. What he and the Wolves did last season doesn’t appear to be a fluke. Also, DiVincenzo should replace whatever outside shooting the Wolves lost with Towns’ departure.
Whether they reach the NBA Finals could depend on how quickly Randle meshes with Edwards and Gobert. Also, Dillingham and Shannon need to develop radpidly. The Wolves lost Anderson and Morris off their bench in free agency and in an unforgiving Western Conference with a thin margin for error, star power and depth will rule. They’ll have Edwards and their defense … but will that be enough?
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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