Hoops Habit
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards

By Luke Askew

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Sixth Man of the Year: Derrick Rose

This was a really tough one.

While Jamal Crawford has yet to sign with a team, it’s unlikely that he’ll return to the Wolves for the 2018-19 season and he was really the only consistent offensive weapon for their bench in the 2017-18 season.

This year, their bench should be much better (if Thibs gives them opportunities) but who knows who will be the leading the guy? It could be either of the 2018 draft picks, James Nunnally, Tyus Jones, Gorgui Dieng, Derrick Rose or some combination of all those guys. My gut is telling me it will be Derrick Rose, though.

Historically speaking, for a player to win the Sixth Man of the Year award, he needs to be a volume scorer — you know, someone like Rose.

Rose struggled for the majority of the 2017-18 season but he really hit his stride in the playoffs with the Wolves. There were even moments where he was the sole reason they were still in the game. If Rose comes into this season with that same level of play, he has the best chance of anyone in Minnesota at winning the Sixth Man of the Year award.

We all know Thibs will let him play, and that’s where it starts.

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves