The darlings of the post-season, the Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards' ascension were an absolute delight. Watching their rabid defense discombobulate the defending champs harkened back to the '04 Pistons demolition of Shaq and Kobe.
This is a special team and I fully expect them to be back approaching the mountain top in the near future.
They do have one glaring problem, but fortunately it should be solvable.
KAT, the opposite of basketball Viagra
There's no turnoff in sports quite like Karl Anthony Towns. He's a graceless ox with absolutely no feel for the game. He makes two or three of the dumbest decisions you've ever seen, on a nightly basis. The kicker is that he possesses more skill than 99% of other centers, so he's perpetually letting everyone down by falling so short of his potential.
He is the antithesis of this young Timberwolves squad and they need to turn him into someone who belongs in this pack.
I don't even think he's part of the best 5-man lineup on this current team. The group that played the best, by my eye test, was
- Gobert
- Reid
- Anderson
- Edwards
- Conley
They should try to build on the dynamic of that group.
Offseason options
KAT should still be easily tradeable. For all of his shortcomings, he is still in his 20's and he possesses skills that all 30 teams are constantly looking for. Plus, there may be some superstars demanding trades this summer and KAT may be the best their teams can do.
Here are some of my favorite KAT possibilities:
KAT->KD->Jimmy
After the Phoenix collapse, combined with KD's history, I don't think anyone will be surprised if he asks to be traded. Last time he asked to be traded he had two destinations on his list: Phoenix and Miami.
Meanwhile, Miami is in a tense contract situation with Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley has a long track record of shipping of his star players before it's too late to do so.
KAT for Jimmy in a straight swap would be the funniest trade possible. However, for all the reasons he has to leave Minnesota, he can't go to Miami. Phoenix, on the other hand, needs a skilled big and they have very few prospects of acquiring one.
These guys all make basically the same money and the new trade rules are confusing, so let's just say the trade is Jimmy back to Minnesota, KAT to Phoenix, KD to Miami, plus some draft picks to Phoenix from the other two.
On paper, I think that makes all three teams make more sense. Jimmy seems like an ideal fit for that SF spot, with the mentality and skill set this team needs.
KAT to Orlando
Doesn't KAT just seem like an Orlando guy?
Orlando has tons of cap space and they need floor spacing desperately. You might be saying "Doesn't Orlando already have ten centers on their roster?" And, yes, they do. So clearly KAT is right on brand for them.
The trade I'm imagining is KAT for Jonathan Isaac and Joe Ingles. Isaac can solve the defensive issues they've run into in this Dallas series, as he's athletic enough to put on Luka and/or defend against those lob passes. Joe Ingles is a smart vet who can help settle down the offense and space the floor.
KAT goes home
Here's my last one: KAT to the Nets for Mikal Bridges. KAT's a Jersey kid, so maybe they can do him a solid and let him play for his childhood team. Also, don't he and Ben Simmons belong together?
Mikal proved in Phoenix that he is an excellent 3-and-D wing. Minnesota really suffered for not having reliable 3-point shooting in this Dallas series.