The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to a 14-14 start. Considering the success of last season’s team, it’s been disappointing because the Wolves have meaningfully regressed after trading Karl-Anthony Towns. Several things have contributed to that, most notably Minnesota’s roster makeover before training camp.
Still, considering Minnesota’s slow start, the front office might soon make another move.
Mike Conley has been stellar since the Wolves traded for him in February 2023. He’s brought the Wolves stability, but the team often experiences moments of offensive stagnancy when he’s not on the court.
But Conley is off to a poor start. He’s averaging a career-low 8 points per game. His three-point percentage has also taken a hit; he’s shooting 36% this season after shooting 44% from three last year. It’s unfortunate, considering how reliable he’s been for the Wolves as an outside shooter.
The Timberwolves are 23rd in offensive rating, leading to slow starts and poor late-game offense. Even Conley’s presence hasn’t minimized these issues. He’s 37, so there’s a chance this dropoff in production isn’t temporary. Conley signed a contract extension in February that will keep him with the team until the 2025-26 season ends.
In addition to Conley’s play, the Wolves don’t have a reliable backup point guard. Minnesota has mostly used Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the role. But while they’re both skilled playmakers, DiVincenzo and Alexander-Walker aren’t natural point guards.
Alexander-Walker has excelled off the ball and is at his best as a spot-up shooter. The same can be said for DiVincenzo. He showed that with the New York Knicks last year, which is why Connelly insisted that the Knicks include him in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.
Chris Finch doesn’t seem to trust Rob Dillingham, the No. 8 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft. While Dillingham has shown flashes, he hasn’t earned consistent rotation minutes.
Conley has mentored Dillingham, and who better to learn from? Still, it’s unclear how long it’ll take for Finch to give Dillingham more minutes; he’s only averaging nine this season. For context, Alexander-Walker averages 24. Finch has stuck with an eight-man rotation this season, only sporadically using a ninth man. That’s the spot Dillingham and Josh Minott are fighting for right now.
Minnesota’s offense has always looked better when Conley’s at his best. But he hasn’t been an offensive threat, so it’s important to find another ball-handler to pair with Ant to lessen the pressure he’s experienced this season. When Edwards does take on a ball-handling role in the offense, the ball movement hasn’t been great.
This season, Edwards has publicly expressed his frustration with the team and his lack of driving lanes. Edwards has more responsibility than ever before this year, and the rest of the league knows that, leading to the 23-year-old seeing multiple defenders dedicated to stopping him.
With experience, Edwards should continue to evolve as a playmaker against double teams, using the attention he attracts to create for his teammates. However, it would help if the Wolves could find a point guard to alleviate the pressure he’s been facing without Towns. Ideally, one that can defend, make shots, and create open ones for others.
The Wolves will face second apron restrictions if they make a deal. That makes trading more challenging and Minnesota’s situation less than ideal. It’d mean they’d have to part ways with a rotational player to trade for someone. Regardless, there likely isn’t one single move that will dramatically improve the team. Still, they must do something to contend in the West again this year.