The Minnesota Timberwolves spent the 2015 offseason performing the real life equivalent of my NBA2k team. Essentially, they cut some salary and roster spots to make room for a coveted draft pick, re-signed the greatest Timberwolf of all time, a local kid returned home via draft night trade and snagged some European potential.
In:
Kevin Garnett – Re-signed
Damjan Rudez – Traded from Pacers
Nemanja Bjelica – Signed, Draft Rights
Out:
Arinze Onuaku – Free Agent
Justin Hamilton – Free Agent
Gary Neal – Free Agent
Robbie Hummel – Free Agent
Chase Budinger – Traded to Pacers
Draft:
Karl-Anthony Towns (No. 1 Overall)
Tyus Jones (No. 24 Overall via Cleveland)
Overview:
For the outgoing crowd, there is a little sadness. Robbie Hummel could still be a good NBA-level player, Gary Neal has already moved to greener pastures with the Washington Wizards and Chase Budinger will be hoping to fill an important need in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Arinze Onuaku and Justin Hamilton have yet to catch on with new teams. If nothing else, they may be in line for a few 10-day contracts as the season gets going.
The real story is the Timberwolves inbound lanes. Everything coming out of the Las Vegas Summer League points to Karl-Anthony Towns being the worthy No. 1 pick. He demonstrated ability in all aspects of the game and should grow nicely alongside players like Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins, while presumably under the tutelage of the one and only Kevin Garnett.
Damjan Rudez is a great addition primarily because he makes roughly 20 percent of what Chase Budinger will bank this upcoming season. That is the only way in which Rudez is a plus addition in this trade. I suppose he could also soak up some minutes to help ease the Wolves injury concerns, which have been many in recent years. We already covered Bjelica last week. But don’t take my word for it; check it out for yourself.
The real wins here are the additions of the young players. Most Timberwolves fans, and those of us who just love good basketball, dream of a futurescape where Rubio never gets injured again and can be lined up with a mature Zach LaVine playing not-point guard, superstar Andrew Wiggins, Mirotic Lite Bjelica and Sir Karl-Anthony Towns. Really, that is just my ideal lineup in 2017 and probably no one agrees with it. Towns is the truth. He should have a great career and Minnesota has to like their chances to keep him long term because… They also re-signed Kevin Garnett. Definitely on his last deal, he is worth every penny that they pay him if he helps light a fire under these young potential stars and also indoctrinates them well enough that they don’t bolt town before the Wolves can shape into a contender once again.
It’s always good to end on an up-note, so let’s not forget Tyus Jones. Jones was the best prep baller in the state of Minnesota for several years before taking his skills to the infamous Duke University, en route to a breakout NCAA tournament championship. Now, his borderline fairy-tale story sees him back in Minnesota thanks to a draft-night trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jones is worth it already. The Wolves have a direct, flesh-and-blood connection to their community with Jones on board. He’s not half bad at the whole basketball thing either.
Minnesota Timberwolves Offseason Grade: A+
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