Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Somehow, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, despite the team not getting reliable play from multiple players. Star guard Anthony Edwards has had to carry this unit for the majority of the season, but he can only do so much alone.
*PREDICTION*
Forward Julius Randle has also played well, and the health of the two players has contributed to the success of the Timberwolves. But two guys can’t do everything, and this Minnesota squad will need others to step up as we get closer to the playoffs starting.
One of the biggest problems for the Timberwolves this season has been the lack of a true point guard to run the offense. Veteran guard Mike Conley looks like a shell of himself in his age 38 season, and the team has struggled to find a consistent presence in the backcourt.
Entering the season, Minnesota was banking on former lottery draft pick Rob Dillingham to grow into a long-term player next to Edwards in the backcourt. But Dillingham has struggled to find any form of consistency on the floor, and it has hurt the overall ceiling of this Timberwolves team for the year.
As the trade deadline gets closer and closer, many around the league expect Minnesota to be active in trying to find another point guard for the roster. Head coach Chris Finch has been relying on Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo far too much, and it will end up hurting this team come playoff time.
If Minnesota wants to actually take advantage of this season, trading for a point guard, even a backup, will need to be the priority for this unit. But how aggressive the Timberwolves will be remains to be seen, especially since the team is limited in what it can do due to salary cap issues.
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Minnesota Timberwolves Will Land James Harden
If Minnesota wants to be very aggressive this season, the team should look no further than star guard James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers. While the Clippers have been playing better of late, this team still doesn’t have the feel of a contending squad in the loaded Western Conference, and it could see Harden be moved.
Harden isn’t getting any younger, and he can’t afford to stay on a sinking Clippers team as his last few NBA seasons fadeaway. If he were to be moved, Minnesota could be one of the best landing spots for him, and he could create a nice duo with Edwards.
Oftentimes in the postseason over the last few years for the Timberwolves, teams have forced others around Edwards to step up and score the ball. Unfortunately for Minnesota, it hasn’t happened, and the team has fallen short of its ultimate goal of winning a title.
But adding an offensive force like Harden to the mix could ease the burden of Edwards, while forcing opposing defenses to pick their poison with the Timberwolves. Teams wouldn’t be able to double-team Edwards, and Harden could offer this team a scoring punch to help get them over the hump.
Forward Naz Reid would be the centerpiece of the deal going back to the Clippers, giving them some assets to work with going forward. But for Harden, he would get a chance to play for a title contender, and this could easily help Minnesota become more of a threat out West.