Timberwolves season preview: KD doesn’t want to come, but it’s still very difficult to touch the floor of the Finals

Review of last season

In the 24-25 season, the Timberwolves recorded a record of 49 wins and 33 losses, ranking sixth in the Western Conference. After entering the playoffs, the team eliminated the Lakers and Warriors 4-1 respectively, reaching the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. But in the Western Conference finals, the team still didn't show much strength in fighting back and was once again swept by the Gentlemen, this time losing to the Thunder.

The main operations during the offseason are

Reed's five-year 125 million contract extension, with a player option for the final year. This is the largest player signing on the free market this summer. Reid is only 26 years old this year. Giving him a five-year contract is not too long. Given his strength, it is not too expensive to give him an average salary of 25 million. Overall, this contract extension is worth the money.

In the 24-25 season, Reed played 80 games, averaging 14.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 46.2% from the field and 37.9% from the three-point range. In the playoffs, he was also one of the team's main rotations, averaging 25 minutes per game, averaging 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists, shooting 50.9% from the field and 39.7% from the three-point range.

Randle renewed his contract with RMB 100 million in three years, with a player option in the final year. When the Timberwolves made a deal with the Knicks last year, their operations were not highly evaluated by the outside world. The main reason was that Randle had performed poorly in the playoffs in recent years. This was also the main reason why the Knicks wanted to replace him with Towns as the team's second-in-command. However, Randall's performance exceeded expectations last season, especially in the playoffs. He made outstanding performances many times. He played 69 games in the regular season, averaging 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 32.2 minutes per game. His three field goal percentages were 48. .5%, 34.4%, 80.6%; played 15 games in the playoffs, averaging 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 35.5 minutes per game. The three shooting percentages increased to 50.2%, 38.5% and 88% respectively. It can be said that Randall contributed a lot to the Timberwolves' ability to reach the Western Conference Finals.

With such performance as the basis, a big contract will be a matter of course. Moreover, Randall will not turn 31 until the end of November this year. He still has a few years of fighting ability. The Timberwolves completed the extension with a three-year contract, which is not too long.

Before renewing contracts with Reid and Randall, the Timberwolves also pursued Durant this summer. Sun reporter John Gambadoro once reported that the offer provided by the Timberwolves is Gobert + DiVincenzo + Shannon Jr. or Dillingham + this year's No. 17 pick. However, KD didn't want to go to the Timberwolves, and the trade negotiations between the Suns and the Timberwolves ultimately came to nothing.

After renewing the contracts of the above two generals, the Timberwolves' operations this summer have basically come to an end. Afterwards, they made minor repairs to the lineup, including renewing the contract of veteran Ingles with a one-year basic salary of 3.63 million, and Hyland's one-year basic salary of 2.46 million, and retaining Leonard Miller.

Alexander Walker made his mark last season and joined the Hawks this summer for 62 million in four years. This is a major loss for the Timberwolves. The team mainly rotated eight players in the playoffs last season, and Walker was one of them. But there is nothing that can be done about it. It will be difficult for the team to retain Reid, Randle and Walker at the same time this summer. In addition, the team still has potential to be tapped at the guard position. Dillingham, the No. 8 pick in 2024, and Terrence Shannon Jr., the No. 27 pick, will both start their second NBA season. They will all have the opportunity to play larger roles in the new season.

In terms of the draft, the Timberwolves used the 17th pick this year to select Belanger, a 2.11-meter-tall French center who can stand and switch defenses. He is a tall and athletic center with long arms. The player template is Capela and Noel.

Current lineup

Guards: Edwards, DiVincenzo, Conley, Dillingham, Terrance Shannon Jr., Hyland, Jaylen Clark, Tristen Newton (two-way)

Forward: Randle, McDaniels, Ingles, Leonard Miller, Freeman (two-way)

Center: Gobert, Reed, Belanger (No. 17 pick this year), Zikals Key (two-way)

Preview of the new season

Missing KD, it is still very difficult to break out of the Western Conference

With the Timberwolves' lineup, whether it was Towns as the second boss in the 23-24 season or Randall as the second boss last season, it was not easy for them to reach the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years. The team was swept by the Gentlemen in the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years and lost to the Mavericks and Thunder. This result is not particularly surprising. According to their strength, reaching the Western Conference Finals is already at the top and can be considered a success.

The team management also tried to upgrade the lineup. They seriously pursued Durant this summer, but they were unwilling and ruthless. KD did not want to join them. In the end, both parties missed it. Looking forward to the Western Conference in the new season, the top three teams are undoubtedly the Thunder, Nuggets, and Rockets. It is still very difficult for the Timberwolves to break out of the Western Conference.

Can Edwards become an MVP candidate?

The current lineup of the Timberwolves does not give fans much room for imagination. Players such as Randle, McDaniels, Gobert, Reid, DiVincenzo, and Conley have all been finalized. Can any of them significantly improve their level? Can't tell. Can Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr. make huge improvements and become the backbone of the team's defense? We can't see this momentum at the moment. Neither player performed amazingly last season. Dillingham averaged 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 5 assists per game, and Shannon averaged 4.3 points and 1 rebound. Of course, they didn't play much playing time in their rookie seasons, both averaging about 10 minutes per game. After entering the playoffs, they did not enter the team's rotation.

Looking forward to the new season, the Timberwolves still have to watch Edwards. Huazi has entered the league's first-line stars in the past two years. He ranked 7th in the MVP selection for two consecutive seasons and was selected to the second team for two consecutive seasons. He also demonstrated his ability to lead the team and entered the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years.. The new season will be Huazi's sixth NBA season. Can he still improve his level and become a strong contender for MVP? This is a highlight of the Timberwolves' new season.

Record& Ranking Prediction

After the last two playoff trips, this Timberwolves are very mature and are a strong playoff team. The point guard position is in short supply. This is indeed a problem for them. Conley was 38 on the 11th of this month. It is hard to say whether Dillingham can step up. But this won't have much of an impact on their regular season prospects.

Looking forward to the new season, the author predicts that the Timberwolves will win about 50 games in the regular season, advance to the top four in the Western Conference, and have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers are transitioning from the James era to the Doncic era. The Clippers and Warriors both have the problem of aging core players. The author is still more optimistic about the Timberwolves entering the top four in the Western Conference.