Minnesota Timberwolves: 2018-19 NBA season preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves are out to prove that last season’s success wasn’t entirely dependent on Jimmy Butler.

Tom Thibodeau is not a patient man.

When he came to the Minnesota Timberwolves organization in 2016, he made it clear he intended to take the long-troubled franchise to new heights, and quickly. The Timberwolves ended the 2016-17 season, Thibodeau’s first in charge, with a 31-51 record and a frustrating lack of development among its young core.

Thibodeau tried to jumpstart the team’s success by trading Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft for his old Chicago Bulls running mate, Jimmy Butler. With Butler leading the way, the 2017-18 Timberwolves won 48 games and made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

Now Butler’s departure is all but assured in the immediate future and the 2018-19 Timberwolves’ outlook has plummeted — along with the franchise’s reputation.

Minnesota knew the risks when they traded three lottery picks for Butler in 2017, and did it anyway hoping Tom Thibodeau could convince his former Chicago Bulls superstar to stay in the Twin Cities long-term. Consider the cruel month Timberwolves’ fans have just endured as two lessons learned: Don’t trade assets for stars before you’re a championship contender, and don’t trust Tom Thibodeau.

Despite the storm clouds this Butler saga has summoned over Minnesota, not all hope is lost. Their 22-year-old franchise centerpiece and Jimmy Butler-nemesis, Karl-Anthony Towns, signed his five-year, $190 million super-max extension just days after Butler’s departure became clear.

Once Butler is traded, things will hopefully settle down. I can’t imagine Timberwolves’ fans will be able to take much more trolling after Lauri Markkanen posted this on Twitter:

Perhaps after so much sadness, the basketball gods are finally ready to smile upon the Minnesota Timberwolves. If they do, here’s the motley crew that’ll receive their blessings.