From now until the start of the season, Corban Ford will release offseason reviews for all 30 teams. These pieces will lay out the key losses and additions, along with an analysis describing some of the major moves and whether they positioned the team better for success or closer to disaster. Today, the focus is on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After a seismic rise last season, Minnesota is now in an unfamiliar position: the title of championship contender. However, after a shocking trade just weeks before the start of the season, is that designation still accurate? More importantly, can the Timberwolves live up to that billing?

Key Losses

Kyle Anderson (traded to Golden State), Monte Morris (Signed with Phoenix), Karl Anthony Towns (traded to New York) 

Key Additions

Rob Dillingham (drafted 8th), Terrence Shannon Jr. (drafted 27th), Joe Ingles (from Orlando), Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo (traded from New York)

In my opinion, Minnesota started the offseason with as strong a start as anyone, trading up to grab guard Rob Dillingham at #8 and then prudently picking up Terrence Shannon Jr. at pick #27. Both players will help spruce up an offense that, at best, was described as middling (18th in points per game, 16th in offensive rating) while also being on the same timeline as franchise player Anthony Edwards. Dillingham, in particular, has the chance to stand out the most as a player who steps in neatly as veteran Mike Conley’s understudy at backup point guard but who also is one of the best from-scratch offensive creators in this year’s class. Shannon is also adept at creating his offense and should be another solid wing option for the Wolves to employ, especially if he can pick up his effort and awareness on the defensive end. Rounding out the first wave of additions was Joe Ingles, who may be just a bit long in the tooth at age 37 but who can still shoot the long ball and run some second-side pick and rolls.

However, the last two additions stand to make the most impact for Minnesota, and they are, of course, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Randle is the more prominent name in this deal, and that makes sense, as he is a multiple-time NBA all-star who also doubled as the leading man for the New York Knicks before Jalen Brunson’s arrival and ascension. While his fit alongside Rudy Gobert in the frontcourt remains a mystery, Randle is capable of generating offense for himself and others, bringing a rugged, hard-hat style of play that will be perfect for the Wolves.

However, for all the potential good Randle will bring, Donte DiVincenzo has a chance of being the better long-term difference-maker for Minnesota. Fellow Center Hub member Steven Bagell and I discussed the Knicks/Wolves trade in depth already (you can find that HERE), but the Timberwolves needed another wing player who could take and make threes at a high volume while also being an above-average positional defender, and they have that now with Divincenzo, who stands to be their best volume shooter since the Malik Beasley days. The fact that he has some additional off-the-bounce juice is just another feather in the cap for his addition to Minnesota.

Looking Ahead

It seems weird to type, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are genuine championship contenders. Anthony Edwards is a top 10 player in this league, and his ascent has been extraordinary over the past three seasons. Rudy Gobert seems to have found his footing in the Twin Cities and should continue to anchor the backline of their defense. Julius Randle has, at the very least, played at an all-star level for the past few years, and players like Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo should flourish in their respective roles. Will that be enough for Minnesota to replicate last season’s success? That is the big question that we will have to wait to see answered.