Biggest Issues the Minnesota Timberwolves Need to Address This Offseason
They might have finished 2014-15 with the NBA’s worst record, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are arguably one of the most talented teams in the league.
Although it is undeniable that the Wolves have talent, there are still a couple of bridges they need to cross before becoming a playoff contender.
The first one is a matter of staying healthy. Most specifically, they need Ricky Rubio to stay healthy.
Rubio is one of the most exciting point guards in the league. However, he only managed to play one complete season during his four years in the NBA.
While the Spaniard is the main health concern for Minnesota, the team was plagued with injuries in 2014-15.
With a change of luck, 2015-16 may be more kind to the Wolves in terms of giving their key players more time on the court than in the doctor’s office.
Now, there is an issue they can solve without lady luck’s help, and that is their need of a starting power forward.
Adreian Payne and Anthony Bennett are good prospects. However, both of them still seem to be a couple of years away from being able to play a consistent starting role in the NBA.
Payne showed some promise in the 22 games he started for the Wolves this season. The former Michigan State Spartan averaged 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 29 games he played. Good numbers, but not even near the production Minnesota needs from a starter.
Adding the uncertainty looming over Kevin Garnett’s retirement, the other viable option currently in the roster is Bennett.
Yes, he was a No.1 pick and he has potential. Yet, like in Cleveland, Bennett failed to impress when his number was called.
With that in mind, the Wolves’ front office has a decision to make. Whether they will look to the draft or to free agency to fill that team need.
The easiest and best answer is the draft.
It will depend on how the lottery turns out, but let’s entertain a scenario where Minnesota ends up with the first pick in the 2015 draft.
The answer to their problem is at the top of everybody’s mock drafts. His name is Karl-Anthony Towns.
Nothing more fitting for the Timberwolves, who lost their franchise player (Garnett) to the beginning of the Big Three Era in the NBA, than to have a Big Three of the future (Rubio, Wiggins and Towns) playing in the Twin Cities.
Like Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman said in his scouting report of Towns, the 6'11'' big man is a very versatile offensive player.
The former Wildcat would also fill one of the priorities Flip Saunders has for this offseason, which is improving his team’s defense.
""We need defensive players, and we need 3-point shooting. Many times, those guys don't go hand in hand,” Saunders told the Associated Press.
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That is not the case with Towns. The 19-year-old has the power and athleticism to score from down low. His post game still needs some polishing, but he can help the Timberwolves in spreading the floor with his shooting touch.
He only shot eight three-pointers under John Calipari. But don’t be mistaken, Towns can hit bombs from downtown. Just ask Andrew Wiggins.
An inside-outside threat, Towns would not only give Rubio another passing option, he would also draw bigger defenders out and give Wiggins much more room to operate.
Now, in the off-chance Minnesota fails to acquire Towns or even Jahlil Okafor, their other option is to hit free agency.
Milt Newton and Saunders will have a deep power forward class to choose from in the summer.
Their premier target in this scenario should be Paul Millsap.
The Atlanta forward has proven to be one of the most consistent players in his position since 2010. Millsap is a threat who can contribute with at least 15 points and seven rebounds every night out.
He has also developed his outside game since signing with the Hawks. Millsap’s versatility and shooting touch could open a whole new world of possibilities for Minnesota’s offense.
He might not be the outside threat Kevin Love was, but with the likes of Kevin Martin and Wiggins around, he doesn’t need to be.
At the end of the day, if Saunders manages to acquire either of those guys, he will have a very competitive team on his hands.
An electrifying floor general in Rubio. A scorer who can explode when you least expect in Martin. A star in the making in Wiggins. Insert either Towns or Millsap here. And a pair of international big bodies sharing the center minutes in Gorgui Dieng and Nikola Pekovic.
A playoff run wouldn’t be so far-fetched for these Wolves.
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