Minnesota Timberwolves: What went wrong with Andrew Wiggins?

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2014-2015

Andrew Wiggins was one of the hottest sensations coming to Minnesota in his rookie year. The No. 1 overall pick in that year’s draft, Wiggins was a shinning hope to all Minnesota fans that the rebuild that would follow the Kevin Love departure would be a short one.

Wiggins had a phenomenal rookie season too. He was Rookie of the Month four straight times from November through February. He averaged 16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks per game on 43.7 percent shooting. Sure, he could stand to shoot the ball less, but then again, he was already one of the better shooters on the team.

And yeah, he needed to develop a 3-point shot, but what rookie doesn’t have room for improvement? Hopes were high for Wiggins, and they were even higher when he ended the season winning the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year award. He even put together one of the most electric highlight reels for the Timberwolves that we’ve seen in a long time.

It’s important to take a step back when you’re looking at Wiggins’ rookie year and acknowledge something: There was almost no competition for the award. The two players drafted after him — Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid — missed a lot of their season due to injury and others drafted in the lottery such as Nik Stauskas, Julius Randle, Elfrid Payton and Doug McDermott would all prove to play below their expectations, or in Randle’s case, miss their entire season due to injury.

Regardless, there was hope in the eyes and hearts of every Minnesota fan. And it was hope that was desperately needed, as the Timberwolves won just 16 games that season.

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