Grading the 2019 NBA offseason for all 30 franchises

Minnesota Timberwolves

After failing to return to the playoffs following their first make in over a decade, the Minnesota Timberwolves were looking to keep up with the flurry of deals made by their contemporaries. Their target?

D’Angelo Russell, a point guard coming off his first All-Star appearance and a good friend of Karl-Anthony Towns.

Given Minnesota’s lack of financial flexibility, it was an unrealistic pursuit that never really gained much traction.

It would’ve been nice to acquire a player the caliber of Russell — while likely getting off the contract of Andrew Wiggins — but that didn’t stop the Wolves from making some solid additions both through the draft and free agency.

First came the decision to swap the 11th pick for the sixth that also required sending off Dario Saric to Phoenix.

Despite his obvious talents as a stretch-4, he was greatly underutilized in Minnesota with an impending price tag as a restricted free agent the team wasn’t willing to invest in.

With that sixth pick, the Wolves selected Jarrett Culver, a do-everything forward coming off an impressive run to the NCAA title game.

The signing of Noah Vonleh to a one-year deal brings along a high-energy defensive-minded forward coming off his best season as a pro after averaging career-best marks in points and rebounds per game.

In Towns and Wiggins, the Wolves already have two capable 20-point per game scorers. The challenge becomes surrounding them with the ideal complementary pieces who can defend at a high level and knock down open shots.

Neither Vonleh nor Culver will likely help Minnesota leapfrog several other Western Conference teams for a spot in the postseason. Both, however, are the ideal player type to help pivot the Wolves in the right direction.

Grade: B-