with more assertive co-stars. Everyone in the organization understands that Edwards will eventually be the alpha dog in Minnesota, but he is not ready to assume that mantle — at least not for a team that is ready to contend.It is not a great sign when the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft is conceding,".
The reverse is true for their opponents, who are shooting below their expected percentages on a bevy of quality 3-point opportunities, and Minnesota's porous transition defense makes for easier scoring chances. In the meantime, the Timberwolves could lose Russell's max salary slot if they cannot flip his contract before he hits free agency. More likely, it will cost Minnesota assets to unload Russell's deal — devastating, givenThe most likely scenario 15 games into the Gobert experiment is that it will force another panic move this year or next, perhaps even parting with Towns. It isn't working. It will not work.
The closest comparison at this point is the Brooklyn Nets' 2013 trade for the aging duo of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, who delivered a single playoff victory for the Nets before the picks they returned to the Boston Celtics became Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. We knew it was bad at the time, but we didn't know it would be that bad.The Timberwolves are 10th in a crowded Western Conference, clinging to the last play-in tournament berth a month into the season.