Pre-Draft Outlook
The Timberwolves have holes to fill, as demonstrated most glaringly in the playoffs when they lost to Oklahoma City in the West Finals. They also face departures up front, with Julius Randle and Naz Reid having the option to hit free agency. None of these needs is the sort that two rookies chosen at No. 17 and No. 31 would be expected to answer, not for a team with title aspirations. Back-to-back trips to the brink of the NBA Finals could put Wolves management in a box: Try to push this core a step or two beyond, or sync up the roster with star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who won’t be hitting his prime for another three years. Serving both will be difficult.
The Way To Go
Bolstering the frontcourt (even if Randle and Reid re-sign) and adding shooting are areas to address. Heck, Minnesota still might need help at point guard if the answer it sought in last year’s Draft, Rob Dillingham, doesn’t progress more than he showed in Year 1. Mike Conley, who will turn 38, is best used on limited minutes and as a resident old head. Most of the scuttlebutt in May had the Wolves focused on forwards such as Michigan’s Danny Wolf and Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, though, both to backfill openings and to fit Edwards’ timeline.
— Steve Aschburner
Here’s a quick look at Minnesota’s current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G: Jaylen Clark
G: Mike Conley
G: Rob Dillingham
G: Donte DiVincenzo
G: Anthony Edwards
G/F: Terrence Shannon Jr.
F: Jaden McDaniels
F: Leonard Miller
C: Rudy Gobert
Free Agents
G: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
G: Bones Hyland
G: Tristen Newton
F/G: Joe Ingles
F: Josh Minott
F/C: Julius Randle
C/F: Naz Reid
C: Jesse Edwards
C: Luka Garza