Timberwolves Tumbling Down NBA Power Rankings
It’s quite jarring how different two seasons can look. Less than 12 months ago the Minnesota Timberwolves were just games away from heading to the NBA Finals. 17 games into their 2024-25 season, they are below .500 and look nothing like a competent basketball team. Of course national outlets have taken note.
Minnesota Timberwolves can’t get out of their own way
Things have not gone well for the Timberwolves. The Karl-Anthony Towns trade shook up the roster just weeks before the regular season, and the group hasn’t found itself since. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo have been questionable fits, and Chris Finch has failed to maximize his players potential. Once viewed as a title contender, Minnesota has plummeted in the latest power rankings.
| Outlet | New Ranking | Previous |
| ESPN | 14 | 10 |
| The Athletic | 16 | 10 |
| Sportsnaut | 15 | 12 |
Both ESPN and The Athletic had Minnesota rounding out the top ten recently. They now see the team as struggling to maintain top-half positioning.
Chemistry takes time. Although the Wolves insisted their roster shake-up on the eve of training camp — exchanging Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo — would add strength and depth, it has been clear this season that the team will take time to adjust to its new makeup. Randle has had some bright individual performances, but the Wolves have not brought the same intensity on defense they were known for last season. There’s plenty of time to capture it, but the Wolves’ growing pains out of the gate are apparent.
Jamal Collier on the Timberwolves (ESPN)
Chemistry is certainly an issue for Minnesota. Randle and DiVincenzo are different players. Specifically, Randle has to figure out how to gel in the paint with Rudy Gobert, and Minnesota has made an identity around defense. There is no identity to speak of yet. The Timberwolves can turn things around, but the clock is ticking.
Julius Randle has to find a way to consistently stay more engaged defensively off the ball. His off-ball defense was more alert after giving up a Jaylen Brown 3 early, but you can't ball-watch here, especially on a 3-point attempt.
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) November 25, 2024
Ant looked pissed, saying, "Get it, Ju!" https://t.co/3uDShnRrUk pic.twitter.com/fYawV9GQgO
We’re scraping here a bit, as we’ve already acknowledged Anthony Edwards’ shooting and Julius Randle’s good health to begin the season, and Minnesota is scuffling. But Alexander-Walker has been a bright spot for a bench that has been thinner than expected due to Donte DiVincenzo’s struggles and Rob Dillingham’s lack of readiness. Alexander-Walker is shooting career highs from the field (48 percent) and from 3 (44.4 percent) while compiling a career-best 2.6 assists per game. Alexander-Walker is still an impact defender for a team that is disappointing on that end.
Law Murray on the Timberwolves (The Athletic)
As much as the players themselves have proven to be an issue when it comes to acclimating, head coach Chris Finch has failed as well. Rob Dillingham may have started slow, but he has picked up in a big way with Mike Conley unavailable. The head coach hasn’t caught on, and had him primarily on the bench for the latest overtime loss at home against the Houston Rockets.
Rob Dillingham saw the biggest opportunity of his young NBA career Tuesday night and showcased what he could, in time, bring to this Timberwolves team.
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) November 27, 2024
Playmaking vision, downhill burst, shooting and quick decision-making would all boost Minnesota's offense: pic.twitter.com/IrtCds0zxo
Dillingham’s last two games, the only in which he has gotten double-digit minutes, have resulted in 26 total points, eight assists, and just three turnovers. Even when Conley returns, the lack of production by the veteran means the rookie could give the team a spark.
That needs to come from somewhere with starter Jaden McDaniels shooting just 29.6% from deep and a career-low 44% from the field. But the Timberwolves biggest problem, so far this season, has been on defense. Rudy Gobert is a shadow of his former defensive self, and Julius Randle has proven to be a huge downgrade vs Karl-Anthony Towns.
Related: Report: NBA Teams View Discontent Minnesota Timberwolves Guard as Possible Trade Candidate
The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the best squads in the NBA all of last season. However, they made a massive blockbuster trade just days before the start of training camp that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. While some thought it would be a lateral move at worst, the Wolves have not played as well with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo on the roster. The biggest difference from last year, however, is the elite defense that took them to the Western Conference Finals earlier this year has not been nearly as good this fall.
Jason Burgos on the Timberwolves (Sportsnaut)
The NBA season is a long one and the Timberwolves still have time on their side. They are 11th in the Western Conference right now, but just five games out of the top spot. The play-in tournament shouldn’t be their goal, but they’ll be scrapping to get there if the ship isn’t righted soon.
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