5 Bold Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions for 2024-25 Season

Minnesota Timberwolves
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One of the most highly anticipated seasons in Minnesota Timberwolves history tips off tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers in primetime, further indicating that expectations are sky-high. Last year ended in disappointment, which is the same story for all 29 teams not named the Boston Celtics. Yet, getting to the Western Conference Finals was still an incredible accomplishment.

However, now there’s a sense that the 2024-25 Timberwolves need to take another step forward. If not, the decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle + Donte DiVincenzo will draw immense scrutiny, even if it may have been partially related to cleaning up the Wolves’ future cap sheet.

Now, with a new Timberwolves season upon us, it’s time to make some bold predictions for the year ahead. Can the Timberwolves take that crucial step forward? Is Anthony Edwards ready to become the face of the NBA?

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Jaden McDaniels averages new career-high in scoring

NBA: Preseason-Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
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Jaden McDaniels is both one of the most beloved members on the team and one of the most scrutinized. It wasn’t always this way; he used to simply be a fan favorite for his quiet yet aggressive demeanor, especially on defense. In just four seasons, McDaniels has developed into one of the best defenders in basketball, with the ability to guard anyone from a point guard to a power forward on any given night. It’s why he earned All-Defensive honors last season.

However, McDaniels is rarely ever under the microscope due to his defense. It’s his offense that fans want to see more of. At times, we see a silky smooth jump shot that shows shades of Kevin Durant, whereas other times he hits a cold streak so bad that we can’t help but wonder if another player wouldn’t offer more of a scoring jolt.

  • Jaden McDaniels stats (2023): 10.5 PPG, 33.7% 3PT, 3.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Yet, if there’s one thing that you cannot knock about the 24-year-old Seatbelt, it’s that he’s a tireless worker. Now that he’s had another full summer to work on his game, we wouldn’t be shocked to see McDaniels return as a much more consistent scorer, and he could be asked to take more shots now that Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t soaking up 15.3 shots per game. In other words, don’t be surprised if McDaniels blows past his previous career-high scoring average of 12.1 PPG, set in 2022-23.

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Donte DiVincenzo wins NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year

NBA: Preseason-Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
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The Timberwolves already have the NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year in fan favorite Naz Reid. He’s likely to see an even bigger workload with the departure of Karl-Anthony Towns, and is likely the team’s power forward of the future. But now he has another scoring stalwart coming off the bench alongside him in Donte DiVincenzo.

As great as Reid is at scoring from anywhere on the floor, DiVincenzo is a much more natural shooter with the ability to heat up like a microwave. He’s constantly working to get himself open, and having a massive shield like Rudy Gobert to set picks for him could set up a ton of open shots.

Although the Wolves plan to give Mike Conley more rest, which could lead to DiVincenzo becoming the replacement starting point guard on certain occasions, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him come close to the same 15.5 PPG scoring average from last season.

Reid averaged 13.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.7 stocks per game (blocks + steals) to win his award. “The Big Ragu” may not come close to those rebounding or defensive stats, but if he can shoot 40% from distance again while providing more assists as a playmaker, he just might win his first Sixth Man of the Year award.

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Anthony Edwards wins second NBA MVP in Timberwolves history

NBA: Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves
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Right now, “The Big Ticket” is the greatest Timberwolves player in franchise history. But as crazy as it sounds, Anthony Edwards may not be that far off, even though he’s just entering his fifth season. KG didn’t win his MVP award until his ninth season, but the Timberwolves were never among the league’s elite class until, suddenly, they were.

Meanwhile, this current era of Timberwolves is already among the top championship contenders in the NBA. Some are already saying Ant is the face, or future face of the NBA, but now it’s time to prove it. We all know how confident he is, never backing down from a challenge. Yet, now that he’s gotten a taste of coming so close to the playoffs, we only expect him to come back an even better competitor.

Now that KAT isn’t around as the secondary alpha wolf of this pack, there’s absolutely no question who has the keys to the franchise. Fans knew that all along, but for Ant, it had to be a bit odd grabbing the reigns from a more experienced former No. 1 pick who’s still an All-NBA talent. But now there’s nothing holding him back. If he wants to shoot 30 times a game, he will.

Don’t be surprised if Edwards takes yet another step in his development, grabbing more rebounds and dishing more assists, all while scoring more points thanks to a more consistent shot. It’s only a matter of time before the NBA realizes the league’s best player calls Minnesota home. It might even happen later this year when Edwards wins his first of possibly many MVP awards.

Related: If the Timberwolves Win it All, Anthony Edwards Says He’s Switching Sports… Seriously

Timberwolves set new franchise record in wins

NBA: Preseason-Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
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On the surface, this may seem crazy. The Timberwolves’ all-time single season wins record was set in the magical 2003-04 season that saw the team win 58 games and reach the Western Conference Finals. Flip Saunders, Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell, and Latrell Sprewell led an All-Star cast that looked well on their way to delivering the first championship in franchise history.

Of course, injuries got in the way, and the Timberwolves regressed back to the mean later on. Meanwhile, last year’s Timberwolves often looked like they’d have a chance to beat their all-time wins mark before injuries got in the way too.

Yet, there has to be a specific reason why the Timberwolves felt trading KAT for Randle + DiVincenzo would help them take a step forward. If the trade works out the way Tim Connelly planned, it might lead to a more balanced roster overall and one that helps the team win just more than 58 games, setting a new Timberwolves record.

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Minnesota Timberwolves win NBA Finals, 4-1

Minnesota Timberwolves
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You didn’t think we’d be able to project the Timberwolves to take a step back, did you? Who did this team lose? Towns? Yes, he’s a fantastic scorer, but we can’t all look ourselves squarely in the mirror and not admit there were some flaws in his game too, such as his propensity to force shots, commit offensive fouls, and often disappear on defense because he’s still complaining about a missed call on the other end of the floor.

Presumably, this team will be a lot more mature as they go through another season together. While there are wily veterans such as Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert, and even Tim Connelly’s lookalike in Joe Ingles, the core of this team is still scratching the surface of their potential.

Ant, McDaniels, and Reid are all 25 years old or younger, which means they’ve yet to reach their prime. Only now, there’s been another injection of youth, and some of these young pups can really play. Josh Minott, Luka Garza, and even Rob Dillingham all look like they’re ready to contribute to a winning season. Coach Finch remains one of the best coaches in the NBA. If there’s anyone who can push all the right buttons to maximize the potential of his rotation, it’s Finchy.

The Celtics are great, but they don’t have the same hunger in their stomachs as this starving pack of Wolves. This time, when the Minnesota Timberwolves get on the big stage again, Anthony Edwards and company won’t flinch; they’ll devour every opponent in their path.

  • Minnesota Timberwolves defeat Boston Celtics in NBA Finals: 4-1

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