Why the Timberwolves are legitimate championship contenders
What then transpired? Before acquiring Gobert, Minnesota was ranked seventh in the Western Conference at the end of the 2021โ22 season. After adding Gobert, Minnesota concluded the 2022โ23 season as the eighth seed in the conference.
In my imagination, I pictured that proceeding differently.
As it happens, I was just a year too early. In truth, Gobert has contributed to the Timberwolves’ transformation into a contender this season following a 2022โ2023 campaign marred by serious injuries, growing pains, and player development. At halfway through January, the Timberwolves lead the Western Conference and are second in the NBA in terms of record. The club looks to be over their play-in days and plays precisely how I said they would back in 2022. I’ll go one step farther, though.
The Timberwolves have a chance to win everything. as soon as this year.
For a club with what are still considered long shot chances in the futures market, that is worth some more examination. At ESPN BET, the Timberwolves are +2000 (ranked ninth) to win the NBA championship and +775 (ranked sixth) to win the Western Conference. Since the Timberwolves continue to be seen like a “surprising upstart” despite their on-court success, I see a lot of promise here. Here’s why you ought to consider them a genuine contender for the title instead.
Gobert is among the NBA’s top ten players overall and its finest defensive player.
Edwards may be playing MVP-caliber ball by this postseason if he keeps up this current trajectory.
KAT excels as the perfect lieutenant in every way.
In 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns was selected first overall and, at the end of his third season, he was an All Star. He is among the NBA’s finest big men who focus on the perimeter, posting 26.5 points per game during his scoring peak in 2019โ20. Since the 2017โ18 season began, Towns has played in over 400 games and averaged 2.0 3PG on a.405, 3P% basis. Since his freshman season, he has averaged more than 20 points per game every season.
But Towns has had trouble protecting big, muscular centers throughout the years. Additionally, defenders may scheme him out of being at his most successful on offense in key matchups because he isn’t a particularly good ball handler and 92.4% of his 3-pointers have been assisted. Towns has therefore benefited from Gobert’s presence in the paint and Edwards’ rise to the top of the offensive scoring options. The big guy can hide his worst faults and continue to excel at what he does best.
Perspective on Personal Futures
The Timberwolves are vying for many personal accolades. With injuries unlikely, I think Gobert is presently the -220 favorite to earn his fourth Defensive Player of the Year title. With the second-shortest odds (+250) to earn Coach of the Year, Chris Finch stands a decent chance of defeating Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daignault (+125) should the Timberwolves retain their top spot in the West. Edwards is a long shot at +5000 and unlikely to actually contend without a significant statistical leap, while having the seventh-shortest odds to win MVP.
Outlook for Team Futures
The Timberwolves possess an uncommon NBA asset in their “Big Three” of All-Star caliber players who work well together and create synergy. Because Towns is a large power forward and Gobert is one of the few centers in the league big enough to defend Nikola Jokic, opponents cannot use small-ball lineups to generate mismatches on Gobert without risking being dominated in the middle by Minnesota’s two outstanding big men.
The Wolves also feature an athletic 3-and-D wing named Jaden McDaniels, a seasoned and playoff-tested floor manager in Mike Conley Jr., and a powerful bench headed by Naz Reid (+2500 for Sixth Man of the Year) and Kyle Anderson.
When all of this is considered, the Timberwolves have a squad that is designed to succeed in the postseason in addition to the regular season. Over the last three seasons, we’ve witnessed both the Phoenix Suns (2021) and the Denver Nuggets (2023) make it to the NBA Finals. The Timberwolves have what they need to go along that path and maybe win the Western Conference this season. With such high odds (+775 to win the West, +2000 champion), Minnesota is a terrific value this season in the futures market.