Minnesota had a fun start last season with a 10-8 record entering December. Then, they lost 12 games in a row and their season completely fell apart. Another 13-game losing streak in January made them one of the worst teams in the league and allowed them to eventually get the #1 pick in the draft.
The most important moment of the season for them was the trade they made with Golden State, where they got DeAngelo Russell, who is now playing alongside his friend Karl Anthony Towns. Curiously, these two players only played 25 minutes together last season, so It wasn’t possible to check the impact that they create when they play together.
KAT is coming to this season while dealing with some heavy COVID-related personal losses, so this will be a very tough year for him. Anyway, KAT and DLO are known for their offensive talents but subpar defensive abilities. Minnesota bumped their pace after the DLO trade and they ended being #4 in the league in terms of pace factor. The strategy for this season will be the same with the Wolves trying to outscore their opponents.
Anthony Edwards was drafted for Minnesota and while his ceiling is compared to Dwyane Wade’s and Donovan Mitchell’s, he might also simply become the next Andrew Wiggins, which would be tough for Minnesota to waste two #1 draft picks dealing with the same type of player.
Minnesota also took advantage of the Chris Paul trade to add fan favorite Ricky Rubio to their roster. Rubio and DLO will form an intriguing backcourt, as Rubio needs the ball in his hands to be effective due to his lack of ability off the ball, something that will give Russell a SG role.
Malik Beasley took advantage of all the minutes he got with Minnesota after being traded out of Denver last season and his production was super effective on the offensive end with 47.2% FG and 42.6% 3pts.
The forward positions are going to be the X factor for Minnesota this season. Anthony Edwards needs to have a ROY kind of season for the Wolves to even think about playoffs while their rotation at the PF position is vastly undersized, which will put KAT in a tough defensive spot. Unless he turns into a Gobert (he won’t), Minnesota will be one of the worst defensive teams in the league this season.