2014-15 NBA Season Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves
Welcome to theScore's preview of the 2014-15 Minnesota Timberwolves. Visit our preseason hub for previews of all 30 NBA teams.
Minnesota Timberwolves
2013-14
| Record | Division | West | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-42 | 3rd | 10th | N/A |
For some franchises, the narrative refuses to change.
Coming into the season, the Timberwolves looked to be a team with promise. Kevin Love was teetering on the precipice of superstardom, and his return from a broken hand was supposed to bring along an overdue return to the postseason.
Alas, it wasn't to be for Minnesota. Love did make good on his potential and earned an All-NBA Second Team nod, but his efforts weren't enough to offset the sub-par performances of his teammates.
Ricky Rubio continued to struggle in all facets relating to scoring, failing to post a shooting percentage above 40 percent for the third consecutive year. Their lack of bench depth also factored in as bit-players like J.J. Barea and Dante Cunningham both played over 1,400 minutes.
Oddly enough, the Timberwolves ranked ninth and 12th respectively in terms of offensive and defensive efficiency. Those marks usually befit that of a playoff team, but Minnesota was also the second-worst fourth quarter team last season, resulting in an abysmal record in close games.
Offseason Roundup
The Timberwolves missing the playoffs was the final nail in the coffin. With just one year left on his contract, Love's camp demanded a trade, and what followed was a very public shopping of the star power forward. He eventually landed in Cleveland.
Love's exit allowed Minnesota to restock on prospects as the Cavaliers sent the last two No. 1 overall picks in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett to Minnesota. In addition, Philadelphia butted in, trading Thaddeus Young to the T-Wolves for a future first-round pick from the Cavaliers (a pick originally belonging to the Miami Heat).
The aftermath of the trade leaves the Timberwolves in an awkward spot, with the roster split between young veterans and green rookies. There's a growing push in Minnesota to rebuild, but head coach Flip Saunders seems determined to try to contend with the help of players like Young and Nikola Pekovic. If the Timberwolves get off to a slow start, look for more deals to be made.
Additions
SF Anthony Bennett (trade)
*SF Robbie Hummel (1/$880K)
PF Thaddeus Young (trade)
SF Andrew Wiggins (trade)
PG Mo Williams (1/$3.8M)
*Re-signed
Departures
PF Kevin Love (trade)
SF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (trade)
SG Alexey Shved (trade)
2014 Draft
SG Zach LaVine (1st round, 13th overall)
SF Glenn Robinson III (2nd round, 40th overall)
In one fell swoop, the Timberwolves have recast themselves as an athletic, up-tempo team populated by wings like Wiggins and LaVine. In case you weren't aware, those two both boast max verticals north of 40 inches.
The crown jewel of the incoming rookies, though, is Wiggins, the 1st overall pick that was acquired from Cleveland in the Love trade, a month after the draft. The former Kansas Jayhawk holds tremendous potential as a game-changer on the wing. However, Wiggins is very raw and isn't even guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. He projects as a top defender who will earn his points by driving to the hoop and leaking out in transition.
Like Wiggins, LaVine is an athletic wonder. He didn't post massive per-game numbers in his freshman year in UCLA, but he has decent size and ball-handling skill to go with his incredible leaping abilities. In that regard, he's reminiscent of Gerald Green.
Finally, Robinson III is a decent shooter who can mop up spare minutes on the wing. He averaged 13.1 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting from the field for Michigan last season.
Starting 5
- PG Ricky Rubio
- SG Kevin Martin
- SF Corey Brewer
- PF Thaddeus Young
- C Nikola Pekovic
Breakout Player: Anthony Bennett
Strangely enough, only a year into his NBA career, it seems to be make or break time for Anthony Bennett, who was yet another piece acquired in the Love trade.
Bennett was never supposed to shoulder the burden of being a No. 1 overall pick, but the Cavaliers went off the board to take him there anyway in 2013, betting on his upside. He was said to hold promise as a small-ball four, able to shoot and drive like a wing while having enough bulk to battle down low.
Unfortunately, none of that came true last season.
Injuries and health issues derailed Bennett's rookie campaign from the get-go. Bennett missed training camp and came into the season out of shape, thanks in part to battles with asthma and sleep apnea. He eventually improved as the year wore on, but he finished the year averaging just 4.2 points and three rebounds per game, good for a woeful player efficiency rating of 6.9.
Bennett comes into the season healthy, and with a better toned physique, hoping to rehab his stock. If he continues to struggle, Bennett's playing time could be cut in favor of Shabazz Muhammad, who fits a similar profile as a tweener forward. If so, Bennett's name could be cemented in the dubious list of top picks who have busted.
Season Expectations
Minnesota's front office may be parroting a different party line, but make no mistake: the Timberwolves will likely be horrible in the upcoming season. Not only do they play in the highly-competitive Western Conference, they also lost a superstar, and got even weaker in terms of three-point shooting.
The Timberwolves are also hoping for answers to the many questions surrounding their prospects and younger players. Such as: Can Rubio shoot a decent percentage? Can Bennett be productive? Can Gorgui Dieng continue his hot stretch from March and April last season? Can LaVine play basketball or is he just a raw athlete? Is Wiggins the next superstar who will lead the franchise?
1 to Follow on Social Media
If you're not creeped out by the idea of following a 19-year-old on social media, check out Wiggins' Instagram account.