What Do the 2020 Minnesota Timberwolves Look Like?

What do the long lost Timberwolves look like this upcoming season? Since they haven’t played in over nine months, you may not realize that their opening night roster will feature just five players who were on Minnesota’s opening night roster a year ago, and just two from 2018 (Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) and Josh Okogie). Jeff Teague, Andrew Wiggins, Robert Covington, Treveon Graham, Noah Vonleh, Shabazz Napier, Gorgui Dieng, Jordan Bell and Keita Bates-Diop have all departed. That is quite the roster churn.

Minnesota made a flurry of in-season trades last year that brought in a whole bunch of newcomers, namely Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez (Juancho), and headliner D’Angelo Russell. Unfortunately, they played just one game with KAT before he suffered a wrist injury that kept him sidelined until the hiatus. Effectively, the new-look Wolves had no time to establish any cohesion as a unit.

Then, this offseason, they were lucky (or unlucky if you ask some) enough to draw the #1 overall pick, where they chose Anthony Edwards. They also traded for familiar buddy Ricky Rubio. Just a few weeks ago they quietly added Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on a vet minimum deal.

So what will this ever-changing squad actually look like? What will their starting unit be? Glad you asked but I’m afraid there is no slam dunk answer. You can lock in KAT and D'Angelo Russell as two of the starting five, but after that I can see things going in a wide variety of ways.

All Offense

Russell, Beasley, Edwards, Juancho, KAT

The Wolves can start Edwards, Beasley and Juancho at the other slots, which I would imagine is a popular choice among most fans. This keeps their two restricted free agent signings in the starting lineup, as well as their prized 1st overall pick. On the court this group appears to be severely lacking on defense, but could really rack up points in a hurry.

Balanced

Rubio, Russell, Okogie, Juancho, KAT

Another choice would be to pair Rubio and Russell together, by filling in with Rubio and Okogie in place of Edwards and Beasley. This lineup strives for max ball handling and playmaking skills with a dual point guard look, as well as adding some much needed defensive capability.

Full Defense

Rubio, Russell, Okogie, RHJ, KAT

This lineup is probably best suited for specific end of game situations, but it presents their most realistic top defensive starting unit. Starting both Okogie and RHJ would infuse the squad with some much needed defensive presence, but they would really be relying on KAT and Russell to carry the bucket-getting load.

All Shooting

Russell, Beasley, Jake Layman, Juancho, KAT

They could start Beasley Layman and Juancho and fully maximize shooting at every position, but this might give the 2019 Wizards a run for their money for the leakiest defense award.

Full Youth Movement

Russell, Edwards, Culver, Okogie, KAT

This is the most athletic unit they could toss on the court at once around their stars. Fun to watch, but I can’t see this one being remotely successful, at least in ‘20-21. Not enough shooting, strength, or defensive presence.

Preseason Starting Five

Russell, Beasley, Okogie, Layman, KAT

It raised my eyebrows a bit that Layman was starting at the four for the opening preseason games, but my hunch is that is due to Juancho having a late start in camp.

Best Starting Lineup

Russell, Beasley, Okogie, Juancho, KAT

I have already changed my mind on this several times, but this is my preferred choice. While it’s very tough to not start a #1 overall pick, I think the long college basketball layoff, lack of Summer League and truncated preseason will give coach Ryan Saunders just enough reasons to justify bringing Edwards off the bench. It’s also less than ideal to roll without Rubio, who is definitely one of their top five players, but I think he can excel as a playmaker with the second unit and provide Edwards some easy looks that will help build his confidence.

For the starters, Beasley was stellar (21 PPG, 42% 3PT) in his brief stint post-trade last year and Okogie will be needed to throw on opposing wing primary scorers, at least until another one of their wings proves to be adequate. KAT will finally get a chance to play with a great pick-and-roll PG and shooting threats at three out of four of the other positions, and I expect him to thrive because of it. Their biggest hole is at power forward, but Juancho just might be the best man available. I do expect Rubio to close (most) games, and Edwards to still get 26+ minutes a night; they will just do so coming off the bench.

The Wolves may not have a star-studded superteam, but they do have a plethora of interesting options available to them to fill in around their two stars in Russell and KAT. They can go heavy on youth, lean into offense, attempt to inspire the defensive end, and seemingly everything in between.

What do you think their opening lineup will be? What is their best lineup?