The Wolves' bold strategy to stay in the championship hunt just might work

The Minnesota Timberwolves project to be one of the best teams in the NBA again next season, after reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2023-24. However, they are also the most expensive team heading into 2024-25.

That reality has led to concern that the Wolves may not be able to keep their core roster together for much longer, especially with Anthony Edwards' extension starting next season. Karl Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Edwards will all make at least $30 million, and while those are their three best players, they will need to rely on cheap options too.

Team President Tim Connelly said as much in a recent interview with Darren Wolfson, with two Wolves rookies, Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr., likely to get playing time early. Playing two rookies on an experienced team with championship hopes is a risky strategy but developing them now instead of in year two is a potentially smart long-term strategy.

The Minnesota Timberwolves developing their young players now could pay off down the road.

Giving playing time to Dillingham and Shannon Jr. now would aid their development and their emergence as key rotation. Dillingham in particular needs plenty of playing time since he is the heir apparent to Mike Conley and the starting point guard spot.

They also traded an unprotected first-round pick in 2030 and a top-1 protected first-round pick swap in 2031 to the San Antonio Spurs to be able to receive his draft rights. That is a lot for the asset-strapped Wolves to give up but Dillingham has rare offensive potential. Actually, despite his size at just 6'1, he is widely seen as the best offensive prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft.

If he lives up to that potential, then he'd be a cheap starter on a contending team for the next three years, which would potentially coincide with the end of Gobert's pending extension. Gobert would either retire or potentially re-sign at a much lower rate since he'd be 36 by then, while Dillingham would be about to start his rookie extension.

That would help the Wolves remain competitive and even raise their ceiling while not necessarily breaking the bank. Therefore, the idea to give their rookies playing time early could pay off down the road.