INGLEWOOD — The last three games, the Minnesota Timberwolves looked like the team they wanted to be. The defense was better with perimeter defenders flying around and all anchored by Rudy Gobert. The team used it to play a faster game with more transition options for guys like Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves take care of the ball. Everything seems to be falling into place, although the three straight wins have come against the declining Lakers and a weak Clippers team. Tests come against Golden State this weekend and other games in the coming weeks, which may be a better measure.
Mike Conley credited the team’s turnaround to how it responded to a recent loss to Sacramento at home.
“It was a back-against-the-wall moment for all of us. One where you look up and the season could go one way or the other,” Conley said after the Timberwolves blew out the Clippers on Wednesday. “You can get to the bottom really quickly, and we had to put our foot down and say, ‘You know what we want after the season? What do we want to be? Who are we, who are we going next?’ Challenge every single guy, yourself, look in the mirror and stuff, and we all responded really well.”
League executives aren’t so convinced. Julius Randle has been clumsy next to Gobert so far (again, it’s looked better in recent games, but it’ll hold), DiVincenzo played 77% of his minutes as a two guard last season, working off the ball. New York, but he’s been asked to be a point guard off the bench for Minnesota and 66% of his minutes are at that one and he’s struggling. Conley looked old.
Executives think Minnesota could be active at the trade deadline in February, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports.
That’s why Minnesota has been marked as a prospect between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Yes, the Wolves are coming off comfortable wins against the reeling Lakers and shorthanded Clippers, but they have higher ambitions than fighting for the last playoff spot they currently sit in.
“Just because you’re trading for talent, it has to be right. They have to learn and adapt,” the scout said. “To make a deal so late [right before training camp] it is difficult. So I’m empathetic.”
If Minnesota’s strong play in the last three games turns out to be an illusion, they could try to be active at the trade deadline. However, since the team has already passed the second luxury tax threshold, there are numerous restrictions on their ability to make a deal — they can’t aggregate multiple salaries, they have to bring back less money than they send out, and that’s just the beginning — making it unlikely that we’ll The Timberwolves have seen some other blockbusters.
Chris Finch and that dressing room are going to have to sort it out with this bunch of guys. Changes are more likely next season.
We’ll find out soon if Minnesota has started to figure things out, or if this team will stay where it is now at 11-10 and fight for a playoff spot.