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Minnesota Timberwolves: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) celebrates with center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Clippers defeated the Timberwolves 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) celebrates with center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Clippers defeated the Timberwolves 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Dec 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) dunks in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

2016-17 Roster

Cole Aldrich, C
Nemanja Bjelica, PF
Gorgui Dieng, C
Kris Dunn, PG
Kevin Garnett, PF(?)
Jordan Hill, C
Tyus Jones, PG
Zach LaVine, SG
John Lucas III, PG
Shabazz Muhammad, SF
Toure’ Murry, SG
Adreian Payne, PF
Nikola Pekovic, C
Ricky Rubio, PG
Brandon Rush, SF
Karl-Anthony Towns, C
Andrew Wiggins, SG

Offseason Additions
Cole Aldrich (free agency, Los Angeles Clippers), Kris Dunn (No. 5 overall draft pick, Providence), Jordan Hill (free agency, Indiana Pacers), John Lucas III (free agency, Piratas de Quebradilla {Puerto Rico}), Toure’ Murry (free agency, unsigned), Brandon Rush (free agency, Golden State Warriors)

Offseason Subtractions
Tayshaun Prince (free agency, unsigned), Damjan Rudez (free agency, Orlando Magic), Greg Smith (waived)

Quick Thoughts

For the most part, the Timberwolves’ roster will look very similar to last year’s rendition. Tayshaun Prince remains unsigned, and Kevin Garnett still hasn’t decided about returning for his 22nd NBA season, but for the most part, the core remains the same.

More from Minnesota Timberwolves

The arrival of rookie Kris Dunn obviously brings another point guard into the mix, calling Ricky Rubio’s long-term future with the Wolves into question. But assuming Minnesota doesn’t make any hasty trades, the two should be able to coexist in the same backcourt for the upcoming season.

While plenty of attention will be diverted to the silent Rubio-Dunn power struggle, the three-man core of KAT, Wiggins and LaVine is what will draw eyeballs to the television screens again in 2016-17.

Can Towns make another gargantuan leap in his second season a la Anthony Davis? Is Wiggins ready to take the next step beyond “20 points per game scorer” and into “elite two-way player” territory? And is LaVine due for a breakout season to prove he’s more than just a two-time Slam Dunk champion?

The youngsters will provide the meat for this four-star League Pass course, but the sides are worth monitoring too. New arrivals like Brandon Rush, Jordan Hill and Cole Aldrich have something to add to this roster off the bench — especially Rush, who can spread the floor more effectively than anyone in Minnesota and could be utilized as a stretch-4 in small-ball lineups.

Next: Storyline 1: The Future Of Rubio

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