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NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks on during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Oklahoma City Thunder won 122-99. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Timberwolves

How Do The Wolves Balance Development And Veterans’ Minutes?

It’s no secret that for the Minnesota Timberwolves, developing the younger players like Andrew Wiggins, rookie Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Muhammad, Tyus Jones and Nemanja Bjelica should be the priority. But how does that balance with the playing time of established veterans like Kevin Garnett, Andre Miller, Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Martin and Tayshaun Prince?

Other than Ricky Rubio, there really aren’t many players on the roster in that middle ground between “young talent in need of minutes” and “proven, aging veteran who won’t be around in a year or two.” It’s clear that the young Timberpups can learn a lot from KG, Miller and Prince, who, at this point in their careers, are perfectly ready to embrace a mentoring kind of role.

But will K-Mart (32) and Pekovic (29) be as understanding about their minute reductions when they still have a few good years left in the tank? Will interim head coach Sam Mitchell (or Flip Saunders, should he return) be able to provide enough minutes to the youngsters who need it without pissing off the vets in the process?

In what is sure to be another season centered on development and not results, Minnesota must stick to the plan and focus on building for the future rather than avoid stepping on veteran toes.

Next: New Orleans Pelicans