Timberwolves: 3 takeaways after the first month of the season
The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 3-2. They could easily be 5-0, but it’s hard to be too picky about the Timberwolves having success. Nonetheless, here are three takeaways after the first month of the season.
1. Jarred Vanderbilt should start
The Timberwolves started Jarred Vanderbilt in the last two games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. Because he was inserted into the starting lineup against Milwaukee, Josh Okogie fell out of the rotation (he earned minutes against Denver).
Minnesota currently ranks 14th in the NBA in rebounds per game (46.0). After sliding Vanderbilt into the starting lineup, they improved to 10th (48.0 per game).
Previously with Okogie in the lineup, they averaged 44.7 per game. Minnesota is grabbing nearly four more rebounds since Vanderbilt has been the starter.
Vanderbilt only logged 16 minutes against the Nuggets, but when he did play, he brought plenty of energy – finishing with 6 points and 6 rebounds. It was an interesting choice to not close with Vanderbilt, especially since Minnesota couldn’t buy a bucket late in the game. His rebounding would have been beneficial in that situation.
Vanderbilt has his limitations offensively, but he understands his role. He’s also taken one shot outside the painted area that resulted in a miss. He’s averaging 6.0 rebounds, 4.4 points and 1.0 assists per game.
Moving forward, Vanderbilt should be the Wolves’ fifth starter because he’s one of the best rebounders in the game, and Minnesota needs a lot of help in that department.
2. How does Malik Beasley and Taurean Prince fit
Minnesota has two scorers off the bench in Malik Beasley and Taurean Prince. One thing they have in common: they can score the ball and space the floor.
However, we really haven’t seen that from either player, except for Beasley’s 18-point performance against the Nuggets.
Let’s start there with Beasley because he is an interesting puzzle piece on this roster.
Trade market-wise, Minnesota could look to move him if they’re willing to make a splash. Beasley will make a little over $14 million this year, and he’s an elite shooter. His salary is perfect in any filler situation, and he will be viewed as an asset to a handful of teams.
Last season Beasley started in 36 of the 37 games he played. The one game he didn’t start was on Feb. 17 after he showed up late to practice. There are some off-court concerns, but the former Seminole enjoyed a career year.
After posting 19.6 points per game on 44.0 percent from the field and 39.9 from 3, it was easy to assume he could replicate similar efficiency. This season he’s averaging 8.8 points on 39.0 percent from the field and 35.7 from beyond the arc.
Beasley spent time in jail this offseason, and he doesn’t look like the player we saw last year. Hopefully, he’s able to bounce back and play as he did against the Nuggets.
Prince looked good in the preseason, and he discussed how healthy he feels during the Timberwolves media day.
This offseason, he had a procedure done on his ankle, and he feels better than he has in a long time. Through five games, he’s averaged 13 minutes and 3.0 points per game. His shooting splits are .250/.154/.714 – which is very inefficient.
Minnesota needs production off their bench, but if Prince continues to play poorly, he may find himself out of the rotation. Jordan McLaughlin and Okogie would likely earn a bigger role if that came to light.
3. 10 or 11-man rotation?
Minnesota has been flirting with the idea of using a 10 or 11-man rotation through the first five games. The Timberwolves have a lot of players that fit the same role or are too one-sided.
Through the first five games, this has been the rotations outlook:
- Houston Rockets: N/A (blowout – 14 players played)
- New Orleans Pelicans (10/23): 11-man – McLaughlin earns minutes
- New Orleans Pelicans (10/25): 11-man – McLaughlin earns minutes
- Milwaukee Bucks: 10-man – Okogie falls out of rotation
- Denver Nuggets: 11-man – Okogie and McLaughlin both play
Minnesota should go with a 10-man rotation because it allows them to give players consistent minutes and help them find a rhythm. In situations where the Timberwolves need a spark, it makes sense to expand and look at Okogie, McLaughlin, or even Jaylen Nowell.
Plus, the players who aren’t in the lineup will play harder to prove that they deserve to be in the rotation. Competition is good, and Minnesota is in a position where that sort of energy will turn into a positive.
Moving forward, Chris Finch should explore cutting the rotation to 10 players because it’ll be beneficial in the long term. Right now it’s fine because he’s exploring who can play and what fits best.
