THE Minnesota Timberwolves despatched shockwaves all through the NBA world this offseason after they shook up their core and traded Karl-Anthony Cities to the New York Knicks in alternate for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. The consequence did not have the specified impression on the court docket because the Timberwolves struggled to get out of the gates within the 2024-25 season. There are, nonetheless, just a few younger gamers on the roster who may assist the Timberwolves this season.
After their exceptional run final season to the Western Convention Finals, the Timberwolves regarded like a crew on the verge of changing into a respectable contender within the Western Convention. As a substitute, they’re struggling to maintain tempo in a tightening West standings and Anthony Edwards not too long ago referred to as the crew for his or her mentality.
One factor the Wolves may use is a rise in constant offensive manufacturing. That is the place a few of the youthful gamers on the Timberwolves crew may step in. Final season, the crew had six gamers averaging double figures in scoring in a balanced offensive assault.
This season, there are solely 4 gamers averaging double digits in scoring, with gamers like Mike Conley Jr. and Jaden McDaniels dropping some capturing effectivity. Merely, the Wolves want just a few extra gamers who can get their very own shot, and so they at present have just a few sitting on the bench.
Rob Dillingham will help the Timberwolves this season
The Timberwolves made among the finest strikes of the 2024 NBA Draft by basically buying and selling up within the lottery and deciding on Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham. Dillingham got here off the bench throughout his solely season as a Wildcat, however he was thought of probably the most NBA-ready guards.
Certain sufficient, Dillingham was among the finest gamers within the NBA Summer time League. In 5 video games, he averaged 13.6 factors, 4.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.0 steals. He began slowly, however improved because the summer time league continued, ending with a 25-point, 12-assist efficiency within the Timberwolves’ last recreation in Las Vegas.
He’s a guard who can create his personal shot and could be a facilitator. He can carry offensive juice to the Wolves rotation. However he hasn’t been in a position to play a lot on the sector this season. He I had a chance not too long ago in back-to-back video games in opposition to the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, two of one of the best groups within the league to this point.
He responded by averaging 13.0 factors whereas capturing 49.2 p.c from the sector and 45 p.c from three-point vary. Nonetheless, he didn’t put on the uniform within the Wolves’ final video games in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers as a result of an ankle harm. Upon his return, he advocated for elevated taking part in time and will help the crew in an space by which they want a number of assist.
Terrence Shannon Jr. might be an possibility for the Timberwolves
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The Timberwolves had two first-round picks this season because of their lottery commerce. They used their very own first-round choose on Terrence Shannon Jr. Because the Wolves hoped to proceed their rise within the West this season, Shannon was more durable to play in opposition to than Dillingham.
However with the crew stumbling to begin the season, perhaps it is time to see what Shannon may do within the common rotation. He has Donte DiVincenzo forward of him by way of capturing guard depth, however DiVincenzo hasn’t been in a position to replicate his manufacturing from final yr with the Knicks.
Shannon was not too long ago despatched to the Iowa Wolves of the G League, and he put up 33.0 factors, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists with splits of 47.7 p.c capturing from the sector, 40 p.c on photographs from the three-point line and 92.9 p.c capturing from the free throw line. He was referred to as up by the Timberwolves after simply two video games.
He entered the sport in opposition to the Lakers on Monday the place he dazzled the gang. with a highlighted dunkeven when the sport was already determined. Like Dillingham, he’s snug with the ball in his fingers and together with his personal shot. If the Timberwolves’ veteran choices proceed to be inconsistent, it could be time to see what these youthful gamers on the roster can do within the common rotation.
