Each NBA season brings its share of questions and intrigues. It’s the same thing all the time, a few days before the recovery. Which player will perform? Which coach will be fired? Who am I ? In which shelf? Where squash? For each of the 30 franchises, we have selected the 5 big questions for 2022-23, and the seat of the day is assigned to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Will Anthony Edwards take the reins of the franchise?
Already excellent during his rookie season, Anthony Edwards has taken a new step for his sophomore year and we could see him doing the same for this 2022-23 season. Already because of his progress in the game but also with his rise to power at the end of the season. While Towns wallowed in the Play-in, Edwards took responsibility at the right time to qualify Wolves and in the process he was incredible in his first Playoffs against the Grizzlies. Of course, KAT will always be one of the leaders of the group but “Ant” has what it takes to become the alpha dog of the franchise and even the best player in the world if we are to believe Wolves boss Tim Connelly.
Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns: can it work?
Since Rudy Gobert’s XXL trade to Minnesota, the big question is: are Towns and Gobzilla complementary? On paper, it’s pretty scary with a dominant interior in attack and one of the best defenders in the League at his side. As much offensively, KAT’s ability to shoot from afar makes it easy to imagine something being put in place, as much defensively it may be more difficult against teams that prefer to play small. Playing with two greats in the racket is not impossible and the Cavs have also proved it last year but still it is necessary that the profiles lend themselves to it. Evan Mobley can go for 4 who move away, Towns it is not said.
Will D’Angelo Russell be extended soon?
Very disappointing during the last Playoffs, D’Angelo Russell was quickly considered one of the main responsible for the elimination of Wolves. At the same time a player paid 30 million who turns to 12 points, less than 7 assists and 33% in shooting in postseason, it begins to be seen. What to call into question the future of the leader in Minnesota, especially since Tim Connelly had been strangely silent concerning the case of the guard when he arrived at the head of the organization. Since then, the franchise has seen Rudy Gobert land and it will attack the season with Russell in the lead. Being able to benefit from a player like Gobzilla on pick and roll should provide new options for D-LO, who is attacking a pivotal year. He arrives in his last year of contract. The last time that happened, he nabbed his only All-Star star and signed a fat contract in the process. Bis repeat in 2023?
Who will lead the Wolves bench this year?
Malik Beasley left for the Jazz in Rudy Gobert’s trade, Minnesota lost his second unit match and we suddenly wonder who could become the new leader of the Wolves reserve. Kyle Anderson, Bryn Forbes, Austin Rivers, Naz Reid, Taurean Prince, there are some great people on the bench. In a scorer role like Beasley, we would bet on Jaylen Nowell to take the cap of sixth regular man. He was already one of the main options off the bench and the departure of the former local sniper will logically give him additional minutes and shots. Since he’s also attacking the fourth year of his rookie contract, it’s the perfect time to show off and arrive in a strong position next summer.
What floor for this exciting team?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams with the most hype to start this new season. 3 All-Stars on the field, plus a superstar in the making, a good depth of staff, a coach who seems to be unanimous with his group, it really makes you want to believe in Minnesota for the coming season. Karl-Anthony Towns said it himself, it is now title or failure and it is true that the Wolves have reason to have great ambitions. Seventh last year, they can clearly turn a corner with the arrival of Gobert and the progress of Anthony Edwards. The Playoffs are no longer a goal, it’s the length of the run in the Playoffs that is the goal. We need a progression compared to 2022 so at least a second round in the West or even a Conference Final. Of course, in one case as in the other, the manner will play a huge role. Is it a 4-3 defeat against the future champion and we think that the sequel is super exciting? Do they get out 4-1 and we see all their limits? The speech and the balance sheet will then be very different.