Minnesota Timberwolves: 2015-16 Season Outlook
2015-16 Roster
Anthony Bennett, F
Nemanja Bjelica, F
Lorenzo Brown, G
Gorgui Dieng, C
Kevin Garnett, F-C
Tyus Jones, G
Zach LaVine, G
Kevin Martin, G
Andre Miller, G
Shabazz Muhammad, F
Adreian Payne, F
Nikola Pekovic, C
Tayshaun Prince, F
Ricky Rubio, G
Damjan Rudez, F
Karl-Anthony Towns, C
Andrew Wiggins, F
Offseason Additions
Nemanja Bjelica (free agent-Turkey), Tyus Jones (draft-day trade, 24th overall), Andre Miller (free agent-Sacramento), Tayshaun Prince (free agent-Detroit), Damjan Rudez (trade-Indiana), Karl-Anthony Towns (draft, first overall)
Offseason Subtractions
Jeff Adrien (unrestricted free agent-China), Chase Budinger (trade-Indiana), Justin Hamilton (unrestricted free agent-Spain), Robbie Hummel (unrestricted free agent-Italy), Sean Kilpatrick (unrestricted free agent-New Orleans), Gary Neal (unrestricted free agent-Washington), Mo Williams (unrestricted free agent-Cleveland)
Quick Thoughts
In terms of departures, the first thing you notice about the Timberwolves is that they lost their two backup point guards, which makes sense for a team that will be devoting those minutes to Zach LaVine, Tyus Jones and Andre Miller this season. Even though he struggled at the point guard position last year, LaVine is particularly intriguing after a strong Summer League showing.
Professor Miller might take minutes away from Jones this year, but that’ll only be because the rookie from Duke might not be NBA-ready just yet. Miller should serve as a wonderful mentor for Jones, who will benefit from watching him throw perfect half-court alley-oop passes to Wiggins, LaVine and/or Towns.
Most notably, however, is the addition of a No. 1 pick who joins Wiggins as the other central piece of this team’s promising future. The hodgepodge of young talent that needs minutes and veteran players who are better right now puts head coach Flip Saunders in an interesting position once again. But if he’s able to allocate minutes properly, there’s a chance Minnesota could make a noticeable leap in their win total from last season.
Next: Storyline: Is Wiggins Ready To Make The Leap?