Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-25 season preview: It’s Anthony Edwards and a lot of ‘ifs’ now

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports Illustration)

The 2024-25 NBA season is here! We’re breaking down the biggest questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy outlooks for all 30 teams. Enjoy!

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

2023-24 finish

Offseason moves

Additions: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop (unofficially!), Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., Joe Ingles, PJ Dozier

Subtractions: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyle Anderson, Jordan McLaughlin, Monte Morris, Wendell Moore Jr., TJ Warren

Complete roster

The Big Question: Will moving KAT keep Minnesota “at the big table?”

Behind a resurgent Rudy Gobert and a smothering Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves boasted a historically great defense last season. Chris Finch’s club allowed 2.2 fewer points per 100 possessions than second-place Boston; according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, that was the third-largest gap between Nos. 1 and 2 since 1996.

That defense produced Minnesota’s first playoff series victories in 20 years. But the Wolves ran aground against the Mavericks, who held Anthony Edwards to 40% shooting in the paint, forced him to pass on 46% of his drives and dared his teammates to beat them. They couldn’t. Minnesota scored just 112.1 points-per-100 against Dallas, a mark which would’ve finished 24th in offensive efficiency during the regular season.

“The West is so brutal,” Timberwolves president Tim Connelly recently told Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV. “You know, it’s a shot here, a shot there, who’s healthy — so much is matchups and health. But we just want to continue to be at the big table.”

Which makes the blockbuster trade of Towns, Minnesota’s second-leading scorer last season, all the more fascinating. Does moving KAT for Randle and DiVincenzo help Minnesota stay “at the big table” this season?

The affirmative case likely stems from two beliefs. First: that reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid can replace more of KAT’s production than you might think, at a fraction of the cost. (At least, until he gets the contract extension for which he’ll be eligible after the season, which the Wolves will almost assuredly offer him,…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-03 13:06:55

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