2025 Minnesota Timberwolves Preseason Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished last season with a record of 56 wins and 26 losses. They lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Mavericks. By trading Karl Anthony-Towns during the offseason the Timberwolves sent a clear message: this is Anthony Edward’s team.
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Entering his 5th year, Edwards looks to build on the success he and the Timberwolves experienced last season. Edwards scored a career high 25.9 points per game in route to being named to the All NBA second team.
The Timberwolves shooting guard isn’t the only decorated player on the team. Joining him is reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and reigning 6th Man of the Year Naz Reid. The two Minnesota big men are joined this year by Julius Randle who played 46 games last year for the New York Knicks. Randle looks to slot into the spot left by fellow Kentucky wildcat Karl Anthony-Towns, and much will hinge on how their difference in play impacts the rest of the Minnesota offense.
Last season for Minnesota, KAT shot 15.3 times per game, with 5.3 of those being from three. Randle on the other hand was asked to play a bigger role in New York, taking 18.2 attempts per game. Randle also took 5.3 3pt attempts per game, however, at .311 3P% compared to KATs .416. It is yet to be seen how Randle will slot into an offense that already sees Rudy Gobert playing close to the rim and what sort of space Anthony Edwards will have to work with, but head coach Chris Finch could attempt to stager Edwards and Randles minutes to maximize eachothers offensive potential.
Whatever 3 point shooting Minnesota lost in trading away Karl Anthony-Towns should be made up by the other return piece in the trade, Donte DiVincenzo. Last season DiVincenzo took 8.7 3 point attempts per game, and made them at a .401 clip. He should also see his assist numbers rise as he could share backup point guard minutes with 8th overall pick Rob Dillingham, especially as Dillingham gets ramped up and Minnesota looks to limit regular season wear on 18th year point guard Mike Conley in preperation for another deep playoff run.
Another story line this season will be what Minnesota decides to do with their big man core long term. Gobert, Randle, and Reid all have player options next season, and each could be looking for something different from Minnesota. While they did receive some cap relief and flexibility by moving off of KAT, Minnesota may need to make another difficult decision as they project to be near the second apron next season.
