Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 goals for Andrew Wiggins in 2017-18

1. Give 100 percent effort on defense

The last goal is the most important for Andrew Wiggins’ and ultimately the Minnesota Timberwolves’ success. He must give 100 percent of his effort at all times on defense. The team finally has enough depth to where he can rest, so there is no excuse for anything less.

Kyle Wagner of FiveThirtyEight wrote an article that rated Andrew Wiggins as the “least defensive player” in the NBA last season. Wagner said the following of Wiggins’ defense:

"“Possession by possession, there are a few defenders who are as bad as Wiggins. When Wiggins contests a shot, opponents have a 56.1 effective field goal percentage; when they are unguarded, they have a 56.4 eFG percentage. Fundamentally, getting a shot up against Andrew Wiggins is the same as getting an open shot.”"

Now while the statistics may support his claim, it is not an entirely fair assessment. Wiggins played the most minutes of anyone in the NBA last season, so fatigue was probably a factor. In addition to that, he was the second scoring option after Towns, so he had to save some of his energy for offense after usually being matched up against the opposing team’s best perimeter or wing player.

The addition of Jimmy Butler, who is an excellent defender, will take a lot of pressure off of Wiggins. Butler will guard the best player, which will allow Wiggins to play at a pace that fits his style a little more. One thing he must do is give 100 percent no matter who he is guarding. That is all anyone can ask and is what the Wolves deserve from him every play from here on out.

Next: Timberwolves 2017-18 NBA season preview

Andrew Wiggins has the opportunity to be a difference-maker this season. If he accomplishes these five goals, there is no doubt he will have a great season and possibly be an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career.