Gersson Rosas and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ front office had big plans heading into this offseason. It was easy to buy into Rosas as a miracle-working figure as the Wolves entered the draft and free agency. With picks 1, 17 and 33 at their disposal, the full MLE, and other assets on the current roster, the Wolves were poised to potentially take a big step. Things went differently than expected, but that’s not necessarily bad.
8 Months Later…
The #1 Overall Pick
There was a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the Timberwolves’ intentions with how to best-utilize this selection. They were careful not to disclose who was at the top of their board. In a draft with no consensus frontrunner, other teams were left guessing who would be the likely choice.
There is value lost in not having a “Zion” at the top of the draft, but three viable options to choose from could be beneficial. While teams making top selections should not heavily weigh positional fit with their selection, a team like the Warriors clearly would prefer a player like James Wiseman over LaMelo Ball. This maybe is a way to supplement the value lost in a weak top of the draft.
An extended offseason and the front office’s eagerness to deal suggested that a trade scenario with the top pick was a viable option. As the draft neared and rumors picked up, it seemed growingly likely that the Timberwolves would trade back. Speculation of the Hornets offering the third pick and a player like Miles Bridges seemed feasible. If the T-Wolves were comfortable with either of Ball or Edwards and could pick up an extra asset, why wouldn’t they make that trade? That wasn’t the case.
I’m as likely to “drink the Kool-Aid” put out by this front office as anyone. What else would they say after making a selection of this nature? But per The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, Edwards stood “head and shoulders” above the alternatives. In understanding their reasoning and how their meetings went with Edwards, it became easier to see why he was such a clear number one on their board. Edwards just turned 19, has a 42″ vertical, happens to fit a positional need, and according to The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks, has measurables a little better than expected.
There has been a clear tone of versatility as a sought-after trait in players this FO acquires. In a modern NBA, someone of that stature could be used a variety of ways, particularly on defense. Defense is not a calling card for Edwards, but he has the physical tools to be very successful as he progresses.
He carried the load offensively in his time at Georgia, and that is largely why he offers the most potential in Minnesota. Edwards doesn’t need to come in and be a “savior” for this team. He has the opportunity to focus on simplifying his game: consistently locking in on defense and improving efficiency on offense.
The Rest of Draft Night
Ricky’s Return
When rumors shortly prior to the draft picked up that there were talks with Oklahoma City for pick #17, most of Wolves faithful expected a trade back for additional picks, maybe something involving the newly-acquired Kelly Oubre Jr.
When strictly considering the value exchanged, moving back eight spots and picking up an additional first is quality in itself. But to include Ricky Rubio as well? The local affinity for Rubio is no secret, but considering his age, current contract and positional fit, his return to Minnesota was by no means expected.
James Johnson and his expiring also were sent out in the deal. I’d argue Rubio is worth his contract while Johnson holds a different role than when he signed. Rubio’s role overlaps with that of D’Angelo Russell, and Johnson’s fills a position of greater need. Rubio’s contract also is for an additional year, tightening the cap space that was already scarce for next year’s books.
It is an interesting move not to be PR-related. His contract could serve as the filler when pursuing a larger trade down the line, and he has the playmaking ability to compliment his teammates. But would selecting at 17 and keeping Johnson around be a better use of assets? I guess there’s no way to know what the other options were. The front office also reportedly pursued Rubio last offseason in free agency.
There is a great deal of upside in trading for Rubio, especially as this team largely remains in a developmental stage. His ability to play alongside Russell or lead the bench unit helps put together more of a complete game. He makes those around him significantly better. Russell has played some of his most productive minutes while on the floor with another point guard. To have another starting-caliber point guard on the roster to play alongside or behind Russell gives the Timberwolves lineup flexibility. In an offense that wants to play fast, having one or both of them on the court means having a source of initiation for all 48 minutes.
Bolmaro and McDaniels
The 25th and 33rd selections were packaged to move up to the 23rd slot to select Leandro Bolmaro. The 28th pick was used to take Washington’s Jaden McDaniels. Why trade up two spots for a player that likely would have been there anyway? And why take a player that came off the bench on his college team when other, more-established players were on the board? For the Timberwolves, those late-first assets are maybe best used on players with higher upsides, rather than those with lower floors.
Free Agency Period
The Timberwolves entered 2020 Free Agency with a handful of RFAs and the MLE to spend. The expectation wasn’t necessary to make a big splash but to retain those for their long-term plans and round out the roster. Only a handful of teams had cap space, and Minnesota isn’t necessarily a free agency destination.
Retaining Our Guys
Rosas spent essentially the Rockets’ first-round pick from this year to re-sign RFAs Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez. Both performed considerably well in the short stretch, giving enough reason for a return.
Malik Beasley
Malik entered as one of the first elite shooting wings we’ve seen in a Timberwolves jersey in a long time. He seemed to be a quality player, held back by a log jam at his position while with the Nuggets. His age, shooting ability and athleticism proved to be a logical fit alongside Towns and Russell.
During the break, Beasley was charged with felony drug and weapon charges, throwing his status with the Wolves into question. The impression leading into free agency was that the Wolves intended to have Malik back, but it was unclear on what sort of contract. The uncertainty with his legal situation and minimal FA market suggested a potential bargain contract extension – if any extension at all.
Malik signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Timberwolves, the last year being a team option. This is a little higher than expected, maybe even before the legal issues were a factor. All things considered, it is dicey to commit that much considering the circumstances. But Minnesota is not a free agent destination, Malik has significant upside, and they already invested a quality asset to bring him here. If he is largely who he was after the deadline and stays out of trouble, who’s to say his value won’t exceed his contract?
Juancho Hernangomez
Juancho also played well in his post-deadline stint with the Wolves. He established himself as a quality stretch-four that runs the floor well. His pitfalls as a player come as a defender and a finisher around the rim. He isn’t necessarily someone that compliments KAT, but he’s a solid big to have in the mix. Juancho will likely be the starting four this year after the Timberwolves committed three years, $21 million to him– year three being a team option. Juancho’s fit will come down to his success on the defensive end, like with seemingly every Timberwolves player. They know he won’t ever be much of a rim protector. If KAT can take that step on the defensive end, Juancho will fit better with the starters.
Jordan McLaughlin
McLaughlin is the one remaining RFA that hasn’t been re-signed at this point. It seems their intent is to have him back, but the limited remaining cap space adds uncertainty. Having Jordan back as a third point guard behind Russell and Rubio would be well worth the value they pay. With likely injuries and a tendency to deploy a 2-PG lineup, McLaughlin adds depth when entering this season, mid-pandemic.
The Ed Davis Deal
The Wolves were left with minimal maneuverability after they spent more than what was expected to bring back their guys. The Timberwolves were without an open roster spot, two of which were occupied by Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans. Spellman and Evans were both acquired in the D’Angelo Russell trade and clearly weren’t a part of Minnesota’s future plans.
The intention was ideally to offload them before the season started. The Timberwolves also had just traded for Ricky Rubio, but they lacked much of a veteran presence on one of the league’s youngest teams. So much of what they needed was a big that could help on the defensive end, a player that could contribute while also fill a role on offense.
Rosas traded Spellman, Evans and a future second-rounder to the Knicks for Ed Davis. It more or less addressed the initial adjustments with how the roster sat and what they needed. He’s an interior-defending veteran, on an expiring contract, and is familiar with a number of current players and coaches on the roster. He won’t be a needle-mover, but this helps to fill in the blanks on the court and in the locker room.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Signing RHJ to a camp deal (essentially one year at the veteran minimum, non-guaranteed) adds competition heading into training camp. Players like Hollis-Jefferson, McLaughlin and Jaylen Nowell could be fighting for final roster spots. The Timberwolves currently have Juancho, Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake Layman and now RHJ in the mix to get minutes at power forward. Hernangomez is the only candidate for minutes that has the contract to warrant them consistently. And even at that, he projects more as a backup on this roster. The Wolves also have McDaniels and now Tyler Cook signed to a camp deal.
Initiating this competition heading into training camp should help to bring out what is most needed from the four-spot on this team: defense and effort. Hollis-Jefferson has the defensive frame and versatility to be a real asset next to KAT and in a modern NBA. Acquiring players that are familiar with current Timberwolves and coaches is something this front office has looked to capitalize on. That familiarity, along with the added competition, could help to make up time in a condensed preseason for the Timberwolves.
The Offseason We Hoped?
No, it didn’t necessarily go as expected. No trade with the top pick? Using the 17th and Johnson’s expiring for Rubio? The price tags for keeping Beasley and Juancho? There wasn’t anything done that vaulted the Wolves into sure playoff contention. There will need to be more buy-in on defense if sustainable success is at all attainable. But the moves that were made definitely add excitement heading into next year. This team will want to play fast, and having multiple shooters and playmakers on the court means exciting basketball.
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