After a very promising 2023-24 season, the Timberwolves are looking to bounce back from a devastating loss to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals. Will the big moves made this offseason be the extra push for a finals run?
Minnesota ended up being the third seed last year, just one game from first. They were the number-one defense in the league with a 109.0 DRTG (Defensive Rating), more than two points below the second-place magic. The Wolves lost in 5 games to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. It was a convincing run that got cut short. This may be why there were some unexpected big moves this offseason.
In an article by ESPN, the Wolves acquired Forward Keita Bates-Diop, Guard Donte DiVincenzo, Forward Julius Randle, and a first-round pick (via Detroit) from the New York Knicks in exchange for Forward/Center Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has been a staple of Minnesota basketball since he was drafted first overall in 2015 by the Wolves. The surprising trade was met with much criticism from fans. Trading away one of the stars from a franchise isn’t on people’s minds but after another playoff appearance with Towns struggling shooting may have left the front office with no other option. Towns noticeably struggled in the Conference Finals loss to Dallas. The seven-footer shot below forty percent from the field and thirty percent from behind the arc across five games. A big difference from his 50.4% field goal percentage and 41.6% from deep during the regular season. When Towns was originally drafted in 2015, he looked to be what the team would build around, but star Anthony Edwards very quickly took the option at the top spot. To capitalize on Edward’s best years in Minnesota, it is understandable why they would be doubtful to commit a large chunk of the salary cap for a second option who has not performed in big moments.
It looked like Minnesota lost this trade, but they won from a talent point of view. Bates-Diop was waived by the Wolves shortly after the trade but Julis Randle and Donte DiVincenzo look like they could soon be a crucial part of this Wolves team. Randle and Towns were the focus of the trade, but the addition of DiVincenzo must be noticed. During his stint with the Knicks, he developed in his one season in New York. Donte averaged just under 18 points a game in the playoffs after averaging under five points per game. Across those 13 post-season games, DiVincenzo shot a scorching 42.5% from three on over eight attempts a game. There is a very good chance he could add to an already deep Minnesota bench and potentially push for a starting position over Mike Conley. Randle has been efficient with the wolves but underperforming in shooting. Early into the season Randle is second in points per game at 21.8 and second in assists per game at 4.6 per game. Randle has had his downs so far this season but he has most definety had his moments. It will take time to include these new players in a full-flowing team. But the future of the Timberwolves looks to be in the right direction.
The Wolves defeat the Phoenix Suns with an incredible 35-point performance and a dagger three by Randle to win the game.
