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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 biggest disappointments from the 2018-19 NBA season

By Daniel Lubofsky

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 20: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during a timeout in the third quarter during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on January 20, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-114. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 20: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during a timeout in the third quarter during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on January 20, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-114. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Andrew Wiggins remains stationary

Since being drafted No. 1 overall back in 2014, Andrew Wiggins has done little throughout the course of his now five-year career to live up to the superstar status most had him pegged for way back when.

This past season was no different. His points per game remained high at 18.1, but the lack of both efficiency and production elsewhere was frustrating to witness. He put up just 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists a night while shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc. For someone as physically gifted as he is with immense potential, those numbers are unacceptable.

Many had believed it was Butler’s presence that hampered Wiggins’ productivity since his arrival in the summer of 2017. There is some truth to that, seeing as how the former Kansas Jayhawk scored 23.6 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting from the field and 35.6 percent from distance in the season prior.

Once Jimmy Buckets was dealt this past November, though, Wiggins’ numbers remained mostly the same, fluctuating if at all by mere decimals. His effort defensively remained lackluster as well, ranking 209th in individual defensive win shares — another point of failure for a player who was supposed to combine with Towns to form one of the best young duos in the NBA.

The Timberwolves can cling to the idea of Wiggins developing into anything close to an All-Star. The reality is he doesn’t appear interested in reaching his incredible ceiling, and certainly not after signing a nearly $150 million extension in October of 2017 that will, unfortunately, keep him in Minnesota for the next four seasons.

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