Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
Minnesota Timberwolves
Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) high fives center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Predictions

While the Timberwolves figure to be an improved team in the West next season, there will also be a learning curve for these young players and their new head coach. Thibodeau should quickly erect a more competent defense in Minnesota, but don’t expect that 11th ranked offense to remain intact either.

At this point, a playoff berth founded upon internal development and the arrival of a new head coach seems like a bit much to ask, even if KAT expands upon his terrific rookie season as expected.

More from Hoops Habit

It also feels unlikely the West has another down year where 40-ish wins is enough for a top-eight seed, even if the only true “locks” in the conference right now are the Warriors, Spurs and Clippers.

Teams like the Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns could ALL be in contention for those final five playoff spots.

Ultimately, the growth of KAT, Wiggins and LaVine should be enough for around 37 wins or so, which will put them smack dab in the middle of the tankers and bottom-feeder playoff teams.

That’s not the worst place to be in a deep 2017 NBA Draft, however, and the Wolves are in a pretty ideal spot anyway. They have a brand new coach who will whip these youngsters into shape for the long haul, and if they fail to make the playoffs this year, they have the excuse of a new head coach and inexperienced players, not to mention the reward of a top draft pick to fall back on.

Next: 2016 NBA Offseason Grades For All 30 Teams

If they exceed expectations and manage to make the playoffs, the loss of a high draft pick won’t hurt since Minnesota’s young core will have proven it’s ready to take the next step. The Timberwolves might still be a year away from their postseason return, but make no mistake about it: There’s plenty of reason to be excited for the 2016-17 season.

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves