The Slumping Wolves

[AlexS]

Heading into the new year under new leadership, the Minnesota TImberwolves find themselves with a struggling 7-22 record which includes a ghastly 1-14 record on the road. Surprisingly, the TImberwolves started the season out strong going 4-1, although wins were all at home against struggling sides LAL, Denver, and Utah. So what’s happened to the Wolves after such a promising start, with a 3-21 record following the first few weeks of the season? Higher ups in the TImberwolves organization will point to the long term injury of veteran leader Bradley Beal.

Bradley Beal was believed to have been injured with a broken shooting hand on 11/18 vs the Cavaliers, however being the leader that he is, managed to tough it out and play the following 2 games (where he played 31 min total and was 0-1 FG and 0-2 FT) before informing the medical staff and team of his injury, and subsequently being shut down. Prior to his injury, Beal was averaging 16/1/3 on 48/47/64 percent shooting (.675 TS%!! which would put him in Malik Monk range) while playing solid defense against opposing SFs.

In his absence, coach Randy Wittman has been forced to increase the rotation minutes of SG Avery Bradley, SF James Siakam, and F Kyle Wiltjer. All of these players have roles/potential future roles on winning basketball teams – with Bradley’s efficient shooting and stellar stop% of 86%, Siakam’s man to man defense leading to a stop% of 93%, and Wiltjer’s potential as a shot blocking stretch 4. However, none have been able to replicate the contributions of Beal prior to his injury and clearly are not suited beyond rotation level bench players at this time. Being unable to replicate Beal’s blend of shooting from range with solid defense, the Wolves have struggled on both sides of the ball.

Prior to Beal’s injury : Wolves – 108.7 PPG ; Opponents – 115.5 PPG

Post Beal’s injury : Wolves – 94.7 PPG ; Opponents – 111.5 PPG

The Timberwolves have seen a 14 PPG drop following Beal’s injury, while surrendering 4 PPG less, a net of approximately 10 PPG difference in out oppositions favor. At 94.7 PPG, the Timberwolves would be tied for 29th in the CSL in PPG. And while surrendering 111.5 PPG, the Wolves would be 24th in the league in OPPG. Woof!!

Beal will recover from his broken hand in approximately 20 days, unfortunately for the Wolves they will play 9 games over that time span, thankfully only 3 on the road. However rumors have swirled that due to the 7-22 record to start the season, age and contract situations of many Wolves players (Cousins UFA, Beal TO for next season, and Bradley TO for next season), and the exceptional talent that is expected to be in the upcoming CSL draft, the Wolves are looking to trade their veteran players in hopes of accruing more lottery balls for the upcoming draft lottery. GM AlexS has been seen in gyms all around the country, scouring this upcoming draft’s talents. When asked specifically about Bradley Beal, AlexS has said “He is such a phenomenal player and clearly our team’s Most Valuable Player as evidenced by our play since he’s been injured. He is a strong, veteran leader in our locker room and he could be a great voice to Zio.., I mean, any young player that enters our locker room in the future.”

[Ramcus]

As the Wolves have their 1st round pick this season, it might be wise to move your older plodding veteran's for young guys you can throw a flier on. I don't like the position that your team is in, but you're taking the right steps to bring them towards contention.

[hardenwithnod]

Yeah, I think this is going to be a rebuilding project, and it would be wise to trade your veterans for some future assets to accelerate this rebuild.

[KW]

Have to agree

[Andrewu91]

Rhox really messed this franchise up.

My advice is just completely rebuild and start from scratch

[Dennis]

Yeah, you should go the full rebuild mode. That team is stuck in mediocre at best and mediocre is really the only place you dont want to land in.

[Flaming Homer]

Yeah, you should go the full rebuild mode. That team is stuck in mediocre at best and mediocre is really the only place you dont want to land in.

This

Build it up from scratch, there was not much to take over to begin with. A few player may get some picks or young players with upside tho.

[emplep7]

I agree. Go full rebuild and make sure next year is a particularly rough year.

[Cleasby]

Another team that could do with Zion

[Myles]

Okay everyone is talking about rebuilding but can we talk about the drop in offense from Beal being out? That is unreal. Never seen anything like that.