As the NBA training camps approach, teams all across the league have finalized their rosters for the upcoming season. Starting on October 5th, the games are set to take place overseas in the United Arab Emirates. In the preseason opener and on October 7th, the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves will face off as part of the NBA’s global games program. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are coming off their FIBA stint and are eager to hit the court immediately. On the other side, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are gearing up to start a fresh season together.
It’s often said that the true direction of a team can hardly be projected until the first 20 games into the season. This means that despite locking in their rosters early, several changes may still occur. Recently, Brian Windhorst made predictions about the challenging road ahead for the Timberwolves.
Brian predicts a potential trade for a star alongside Anthony Edwards
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While discussing various teams on the Hoop Collective, Windhorst expressed concerns about the Timberwolves’ salary cap situation. With the Timberwolves already exceeding their cap limit for the upcoming season, there are several things to consider. Primarily, they have to ponder on Mike Conley, their veteran point guard, and the breakout forward Jaden McDaniels.
Both are due for contract renewals next year. Furthermore, Brian believes that the tricky situation could force the Timberwolves to make some mid-season adjustments. Additionally, Edwards, Towns, and Rudy Gobert take up $687,656,000 on their overall cap. With Edwards being their upcoming superstar and a decline in Gobert’s trade value, they might even have to exercise Towns on the market.
Adding to the complexity, the Timberwolves are in the midst of an ownership change for the upcoming season. Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are expected to take control of the franchise during the season.
Considering this dynamic, Brian raised questions about who will ultimately make the decisions regarding contract extensions for McDaniels and Conley. Will it be the current owner, upcoming stakeholders, or the president of the Timberwolves?
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Can the Timberwolves be better than last season?
Timberwolves have given up their major chunk for Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Gobert. However, history teaches that not every star pairing can turn out to be fruitful. Hence, the pressing question is whether their combination is the right formula for an organization’s success.
Currently, Wolves are in a quandary and are left to contemplate a significant overhaul. Trading Gobert is tough, as no team seems willing to make a suitable offer due to his inability to live up to his potential. Towns’ contract is tuning into a potential burden, mainly for the same reason as Gobert. Furthermore, Minnesota loves Anthony Edwards and believes him to rise to glory. It is certain that, even with the faith in their star centers, they will have to keep their eyes open in the 2023-24 season.
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After hints of elite defense, Gobert is struggling with the Wolves. With declination in his shot-blocking prowess, role players like Naz Reid have had to step up in dire times. While Towns shows sheer determination to outclass himself, his injuries are a major concern. Even though Minnesota is a promising offensive unit, they need major contributions from their top-tier defensive players to become a legitimate contender.