The Timberwolves are ramping up for the regular season but while doing that they need some good looks at the reserves. Against the Loong-Lions they sat their main rotational players to get that very chance. The Loong-Lions aren’t any pushover as they have former NBA players (Victor Oladipo, Deonte Burton, and Frank Kaminsky) on the team trying to make it back.
The young Timberwolves looked really good tonight as we were able to see Rob Dillingham really showcase the talent that fans in Minnesota have been wanting to see since last year. Rob was able to get to the rim with ease and he was able to get his teammates involved like a true point guard. Rob Dillingham finished with 27 points and 9 assists on the night. It was great to see Rob being aggressive and running the offense tonight. When given the opportunity Rob has been able to succeed but it just needs to be consistent on both ends. Rob Dillingham was in his bag tonight and he was playing with intensity on both ends. He’s a special talent and it’s all about playing with confidence within yourself and your teammates.
Speaking of teammates Terrence Shannon Jr and Leonard Miller were shinning bright in their moments tonight. The things we’re seeing from Shannon Jr this preseason have been very impressive. The Loong-Lions had no answer for Shannon Jr’s 3 point shooting and his attacking the paint. Shannon Jr shot 4/6 from the field tonight and he was showing off his ball handling as he was finding his teammates in transition. It looked like Shannon Jr was looking to feed his teammates tonight but when the defense gave him open looks he made them pay. Shannon Jr has grown in a year and he’s going to be a special piece to the Timberwolves puzzle this season.
Lenard Miller & Joan Beringer were extremely effective on the boards as both combined for 21 rebounds as both had double doubles. They were able to set the tone defensively and made the best of every offensive opportunity they were given. The Timberwolves had 6 players in double figures tonight and the coaching staff was able to see some of the execution they were looking for before team cuts.
The former NBA players for the Loong-Lions showed up as Kaminsky/Oladipo combined for 24 points & 9 rebounds. The Lions trailed by 59 points at one point in the game and it was not the output they were expecting against the 2nd/3rd unit for Minnesota.
The season is upon us and tonight Coach Chris Finch gave the Minnesota fans a glimpse of what’s to come for the season. Tonight the Timberwolves were able to play with their starters as the only one out the lineup tonight was Jaden McDaniels. Naz Reid was put into the starting lineup in his place at small forward.
The clear cut things that we saw in the 1st half of the game tonight was the fact Anthony Edwards looks to be in mid-season form. Anthony Edwards was able to get to his spots and he was able to showcase some of his passing ability as well. Edwards showed that he can get down the court in transition tonight against the Pacers and he was able to attack his matchup with Mathurin. Edwards finished the half/game with 17 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists in only 19 minutes.
The other thing that was noticed is that Minnesota has to find that defensive identity from a couple years back. The Wolves gave up 40+ points in the paint and they allowed the Pacers to shoot over 50% the majority of the game. It’s just preseason but Wolves have to continue to make good habits on that side of the ball. The Indiana Pacers had 4 scorers in double figures and that was added on once the 2nd unit got in the 2nd half.
Bones Hyland has been on a mission once coming back to the Timberwolves and it looks like he could be that Lou Williams type of player for this team. Bones has been aggressive on the offensive end and he told us during Media Day he wanted to come back here to make an impact. If he keeps this going he’s going to have a serious role in this rotation moving forward this season. Bones finished with (11) points tonight as he was a bright spot for Minnesota.
Johnny Juzang has been able to make the best of his moments on the court as tonight he was (6-8) from the 3 point line and made some clutch shots to get Minnesota back in close range for the game. That type of shooting display will catch the attention of any coaches.
The Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton and they will need to figure out the direction of the team this season with the PG position. Siakam will have to play that point-forward role but he’s very capable of putting this Indy team on his back like he did for Toronto. This team will need a huge boost from Obi Toppin as well because he has the game to stretch the floor for Indy. Mathurin will need to take that leap in his game for them to even be in contention.
Wolves will be in action a couple more times this week as they travel to NYC & Chicago for the next couple games.
The Minnesota Lynx lost a tough one against the Indiana Fever in the Commissioner’s Cup and in great Lynx fashion bounced right back.
The Washington Mystics came out swinging in this game as they were making it tough for the Lynx around the rim. Shakira Austin asserted herself in the paint and the Lynx had to adjust to the physicality that Washington was playing with and they did just that. Austin finished the game with 10 points and 5 rebounds as Jessica Shepard, Napheesa Collier, and Alanna Smith made it tough on her.
The unsung hero for the Washington Mystics tonight was Lucy Olsen as she was magnificent off the bench for Washington tonight with 19 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists. Olsen was slithery with her cuts and was putting pressure on the Lynx defense when she was in attack mode. It’s sometimes those players that aren’t on the scouting report that can creep up on you and have an amazing game out of nowhere. Lucy Olsen proved that always being ready in the moment can workout for the better as she kept the Mystics within range until that 4th quarter. Aaliyah Edwards poured in 15 points with 6 rebounds while being able to get to her spots and make the Lynx work. The Mystics tried everything in their power to keep the Lynx down but Napheesa Collier woke up in the second half of play.
The Minnesota Lynx go where Napheesa Collier goes and she was able to finish tonight with 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Napheesa was able to get to her spots and that was largely due to some nasty passes from Courtney Williams. Phee struggled early in this game but wasn’t to be denied in the 2nd half as she came out on fire. The great thing about the Lynx this year is that they’re deep and can throw different players at you ever time. This roster has been built for a championship run and they can easily can do it.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Finished 2024-25 Season 49-33, 6th in Western Conference)
With the 17th & 31st picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a great position to add to their already stacked lineup. There could be some changes on the horizon in the offseason for the Timberwolves when it comes to player options/free agency. The best way to prepare for those situations is to plan accordingly in the NBA Draft, where you can swing for a home run pick that can change the trajectory of your team’s success. Since the year 2000, there have been 4 players who were NBA All-Stars who were drafted at number 17 (Josh Smith, Jrue Holiday, Danny Granger, and Roy Hibbert).
The 31st pick since 2000 has produced only 2 players who have made a significant impact on their teams. One of them was Nic Claxton, and the other is Andrew Nembhard, as both have thrived in the NBA so far with that selection in their drafts. It just shows that if you have the right player and the right fit anything’s possible. The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off the Western Conference berth for a second time in two years and they need a piece that can contribute to help get them over the hump. That player can currently be on the roster as well as last year, they added Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr through the NBA Draft. Below we will discuss the top players that could be available when the Timberwolves make their 17th and 32nd picks on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves need some versatility with whoever they pick in the NBA Draft and the 5 players that we will focus on all bring something to the table that can help the Timberwolves in the 2025-2026 season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves should have their eyes on Nique Clifford in the draft, as he’s exactly what they need in the lineup, as his game will translate to the NBA with ease. Clifford averaged 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game at Colorado State last season. Clifford has the ability to get a triple-double every time on the floor as he’s an elite rebounder and can also drop dimes to his teammates in transition.
Last season at Colorado State, Nique had 15 double-doubles on the year and was a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Nique Clifford was named to the All-Mountain West Men’s Basketball 1st Team and All-Mountain West Defensive Team. He can be that Swiss Army knife type of player that the Timberwolves have been looking for to insert into the lineup with instant effort, hustle, and energy. He’s someone who can score those hard baskets, but also doesn’t mind getting in the paint to clean up as well with the big men on the glass.
The Timberwolves are looking to run and defend, while adding youth so that plays right into the playing style of Clifford. We saw last season that Nique can get it going as he had a season-high 36 points against Boise State and can get to the glass as he had a season-high with 17 rebounds against Loyola Marymount.
The conference wasn’t as strong as others, so the talent he faced might be an issue, but you can’t deny his talent because he’s someone who can come in with Dillingham and Shannon Jr to make some serious noise on the 2nd unit. Clifford will need to improve on his shooting percentage in the NBA, but with great coaching, that can be adjusted, as you can see the improvements that Chris Hines has made with Anthony Edwards.
Derik Queen (Maryland) Freshmen 6″10 246lb Center
Derik Queen came on the scene last season at Maryland and turned heads instantly. His game is like a mix of Zach Randolph and Pau Gasol as he finishes with true finesse. At Maryland, Queen was able to put the NCAA on notice as he was able to dominate in the paint game after game. Queen averaged 16.5 ppg, 9 reb, and 1.9 ast per game at Maryland, which was impressive. Queen would be a great fit with the Timberwolves’ second unit as he can bring some paint presence that can play alongside Naz Reid, or if things change this offseason for Minnesota.
I believe that Minnesota would be a good landing spot for him because he can be used right away, as his touch with the ball is exactly what this team needs in the paint. Queen lives for the big moments, as you could tell from his buzzer-beater in the NCAA Tournament, but it’s his confidence that also has NBA teams wanting to take him in the NBA Draft. Just imagine Derik Queen getting the chance to learn from Rudy Gobert and get hyped up by Anthony Edwards on a daily basis.
Derik Queen will have to learn a lot about the NBA before he makes a serious impact, and that would start at the NBA Summer League, where I believe he will be able to put on a show just like Shannon Jr did last summer. If the Timberwolves can get Queen at pick 17, that would be a huge steal, as some drafts have him going between 8-18 on NBA Draft boards.
The offensive side of Queen will flourish, but he will need to work on his defense, especially if he wants to get some true minutes in the Chris Finch system. Queen has that factor that every NBA team would love to have on their team when it comes to a true locker room guy that helps with the chemistry. You can’t pass up on raw talent, and Derik is a straight hooper it’s that simple as he was able to showout in the Big 10 as the Freshmen of the Year.
Walter Clayton Jr (Florida) Freshmen 6″3 195lb Guard
Walter Clayton Jr is a straight-up sniper, and the NBA is all about 3&D with a sprinkle of playmaking ability. Walter Clayton Jr has the potential to be one of the Splash Cousins in the NBA, and it would be huge for the Timberwolves to add that type of shooting to the second unit with Donte Divincenzo. Walter’s coming off one of the best seasons in college basketball, winning the NCAA Championship, NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, First Team All-American, and First Team SEC, just to name a few.
The Timberwolves could use more shooting on the team, and this could be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to 3-point shooting alongside Anthony Edwards. This season at Florida, Clayton Jr averaged 18.3 ppg, 3.7 reb, and 4.2 ast on 45% shooting from the field. Clayton Jr has shown the ability to hit some tough shots under pressure, and that’s the type of player that Minnesota needs, who can add to the depth. The defensive side of things will be interesting to follow from Waltor Clayton Jr because he did give up some easy looks to other teams.
I think a heavy dose of coaching from Coach Finch and shadowing Donte would be really good for his career, as they both do similar things, but WCJ is a lot cheaper when it comes to salary.
The run that Walter Clayton Jr went on this season at Florida was special, and his NCAA Tournament was just as impressive, so I would love for him to get to the Timberwolves at 31 if he’s still sitting there at the moment. Walter Clayton Jr dropped 25+ 8 times this season for Florida and put the team on his back, so if he can do that in college, I like his chances in the NBA. He’s one of the smoothest shooters in the whole NBA Draft, if not the best, but he needs the chance to be great at the NBA level. This pick has the potential to have huge upside for the future to come for Minnesota if they get the chance to snag him.
Johni Broome (Auburn) Senior 6″10 210lb Forward
The Timberwolves need someone who can be aggressive on the boards, but at the same time be able to run that fast break as well. Broome reminds me of a young Daniel Gafford as he’s a complete monster on the boards. On the season, at Auburn, Broome averaged 18.6 ppg, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Broome did it all for Auburn, and he was the reason they were number one all season long.
Broome has won a lot of awards this season (The Sporting News Player of the Year, Consensus first-team All-American, Pete Newell Big Man Award, Karl Malone Award, SEC Player of the Year, and 2× First-team All-SEC (2024, 2025). Broome was a double-double machine under Bruce Pearl, and he can be a great player who can fit alongside Naz Reid or Julius Randle this upcoming season. Broome’s one of the players that does the dirty work, and he doesn’t mind the fact that he probably won’t have plays run for him. Broome’s a true sponge, and he’s someone who could learn a lot from a player like Jaden McDaniels.
Broome’s a slasher and someone that can knock down the shot when he’s given the chance, too, as we’ve seen, but he will get those put-backs and will flourish in the PickNRoll. Broome can be that spark that the Timberwolves need, and I think under Coach Finch, he can truly take that next step on the defensive end as well. The best part about this pick is the fact that Broome has been in all the pressure moments you can be in for a college player, so he will be poised in the NBA.
He showed a lot of glimpses of being great during his time at Auburn, and he can show that same thing in the NBA with the Timberwolves. If Broome is sitting there at the 31st pick for Minnesota, I wouldn’t mind them picking him up at all, as he will be a great fit.
Maxime Raynaud (Stanford) Senior 7″1 250lb Center
The Maxime Raynaud is a sneaky good pick that I would love Minnesota to go after in the NBA Draft. Maxime will be able to get the center minutes on the second unit, and his presence in the paint being 7″1 but with movement is exactly what the Timberwolves need alongside Naz Reid. At Stanford, Maxime was a rebounding machine as he was 9th in the country, averaging 10.6 per game. His 20.2 ppg would put him at 15th in the country, but he has pure touch with the ball and can knock down the jumper.
When Maxime’s on the run in the fast break with Rob Dillingham, people would understand what I’m talking about. He can go up and get the alley oop, and he can also put pressure on defenses with his drives to the rim. The quickness that he plays with for being 7″1 is very impressive, and he would instantly be able to use that to his advantage with the Wolves under Coach Finch.
The Wolves need a little jolt of youth in the second lineup, and this could be a huge help to their offense/defense. The sky’s the limit for this kid as he has shown promise throughout his time in the NCAA, but it’s time to see if that can translate over to the NBA. This fit would be perfect as the Timberwolves already have their core and can bring Maxime in without any pressure to learn with Rudy Gobert, with his defense/paint presence.
Any time you can get great talent near the middle of the draft or near the end, you have to go for it. The Wolves will have the mismatch in the paint, and with his quickness in the paint, he can easily get to the bucket when given chances when teams double-team others.
Photo Credit: David Banks Imagn Images, Michael Reaves/GettyImages, MWCConnection
The OKC Thunder were able to get the 1st two games in OKC against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now that the series shifted back to Minnesota, all the pressure was on the Timberwolves to take care of business in front of the home crowd. From the opening tipoff, Minnesota was locked in, and Anthony Edwards set the tone. He came out aggressive and was playing elite on both ends of the floor in Game 3. It started with a breakaway dunk, and then Anthony Edwards took off from there as he had a 16-point 1st quarter.
The Minnesota Timberwolves came into Game 4 knowing that they needed to take care of business if they wanted to go back home 3-1. The Warriors were still without Stephen Curry who could be available if there’s a potential Game 6.
The Timberwolves came out playing some of their best basketball on both sides of the ball tonight. Everything was started off with the play of Julius Randle who just took the bull by the horns in this one. Randle came out on fire and was making some incredible shots while getting to his spots. Every time the Warriors made a small run Randle was able to make a tough basket. Randle was able to put on a show finishing with 31 points on the evening. The Timberwolves were feeding off of Randle’s play and that type of synergy went right to Anthony Edwards.
Anthony Edwards got into a rhythm late 2nd quarter as he found his 3 point shot. Ant Man hit two 3 pointers including the one before the half that gave Minnesota momentum heading into the half. Anthony Edwards turned it up to another level in the 3rd quarter as he led a huge 3rd quarter attack. The Wolves outscored Golden State 39-14 in the quarter but Ant Man was unconscious from anywhere on the court he wanted. No one on the Warriors was able to slow him down as he continued his 3 point shooting and attacking the rim. Anthony Edwards has been lights out and the fact his teammates showed up with him just showed how special/deep this Timberwolves team can be. Ant Man finished with 30 on the night and put on a show in Golden State.
Huge shoutout to Rudy Gobert/Jaden McDaniels as both of them put on a defensive clinic tonight. Both made it tough for the Warriors to get anything inside or outside. Both the defensive specialist set the tone for the defense tonight and made sure that Minnesota was heading back 3-1 with the effort they showed tonight.
The Timberwolves couldn’t fully stop Jonathan Kuminga as he was the only Warriors player that got his offense going but it wasn’t enough at the end of the day. Kuminga finished with 23 points tonight as the Warriors are down 3-1 hoping that Stephen Curry can come back to make the series interesting before it’s over.
