Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19

Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

DENVER, CO - APRIL 5: Tom Thibodeau and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 5, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Will there be locker room issues?

There has been no shortage of reporting on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ off-court chemistry issues. Despite one of the wildest summers in recent NBA memory, the Timberwolves found a way to make it into various articles and podcasts. Media outlets from ESPN to the Chicago Sun-Times have weighed in on the rumors.

It is Sean Deveney of Sporting News, however, that may have gotten the juiciest scoop. He reported the following about the team:

"“Sources familiar with the situation told Sporting News that Butler is uncertain about playing with Wiggins — Butler had problems last season with Wiggins, his work ethic and his approach on the defensive end of the floor. Thibodeau has had similar problems with Wiggins in the past, too, and he had some hope that bringing a tough-minded veteran like Butler into the locker room would spur Wiggins to improve. It didn’t.”"

The relationship between Karl-Anthony Towns and his team may not be much better than the one between Andrew Wiggins and Jimmy Butler. On his podcast, Zach Lowe of ESPN iterated that things, “are not in a good place internally” between Towns and the Wolves. Yikes.

There is even more drama. Deveney heard rumblings that some players were not pleased with Thibodeau’s dispersal of minutes:

"“Another source of friction with the Wolves has been the way that Thibodeau used his bench last season, which has long been a criticism of Thibodeau, carried over from his time in Chicago.”"

Will these personality clashes continue to exist? Can the Timberwolves find a way to resolve their chemistry issues? If not, it may have an impact on their on-court production.

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