Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has joined the basketball world in marveling at the talent of potential 2023 No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama.

Gobert, who is Wembanyama's teammate on the French national team, praised the rising star and discussed what sets him apart from the rest when asked about him Saturday:

Gobert, who is a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and has gone up against every top big in the league over the past several years, labeled Wembanyama as "unique" and ran down the long list of everything he is able to do on the court.

The 18-year-old Wembanyama has a combination of size, athleticism and fluidity that has perhaps never been seen before in the world of basketball, as Gobert alluded to.

Despite being 7'3", which is taller than the 7'1" Gobert, Wembanyama possesses impressive ball skills and the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting.

Wembanyama now plays for Metropolitans 92 of France's LNB Pro A league after spending last season with ASVEL Basket in the same league.

In 16 LNB Pro A games for ASVEL, Wembanyama averaged 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, despite playing against much older and more mature competition.

Wembanyama truly opened the eyes of basketball players, fans and analysts earlier this month when he played in two exhibition games in Las Vegas.

In those two games, Wembanyama averaged 36.5 points, shot 50 percent from the field and grabbed a total of 15 rebounds, to go along with nine blocks.

Per Michael Scotto of USA TODAY Sports, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was among those who were blown away by the performance, saying: "Everybody's been a unicorn over the last few years, but he's more like an alien. No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor … He's, for sure, a generational talent."

Unless something unexpected happens, there is every reason to believe Wembanyama will go first overall in next year's NBA draft regardless of who owns the pick.

That means teams attempting to position themselves for a high draft pick will perhaps have even more incentive than ever before to lose games and increase their odds of picking No. 1 overall.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns is embracing the higher expectations around the franchise that come on the heels of last year's success and a potentially pivotal offseason.

Towns told reporters Wednesday it's "time to be great" and that "good is not good enough anymore":

The satisfaction the Wolves players gained from simply reaching the postseason in 2021-22 was evident from their celebration after a play-in victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

As Towns laid out, though, getting to the playoffs isn't enough anymore. You don't give up four first-round picks for Rudy Gobert if losing in the opening round is the extent of your ambition.

Adding Gobert won't single-handedly lift Minnesota to the top of the NBA, but it unquestionably made the team better. The three-time All-Star can ease some of the defensive burden on Towns, and he figures to form a potent pick-and-roll combo with D'Angelo Russell.

This summer was also about shifting the general perception of the Timberwolves.

This is a franchise that has gotten to the playoffs 10 times and advanced past the first round just once. Success has been scarce outside the Kevin Garnett era, and the overarching theme of that run was still the front office's inability to build an adequate supporting cast around Garnett.

Poaching a successful NBA executive such as Tim Connelly and empowering him to expend so much draft capital to land a ready-made star sends a clear message to everyone. A title is the long-term aim. It might not happen this season, but that's where the organization wants to be in a few years.

It's not unlike how Masai Ujiri steadily built the Toronto Raptors into a championship winner after they were on the proverbial treadmill of mediocrity since their inception.

For the Timberwolves, the season ahead is about continuing to lay the groundwork.

It does not appear the Minnesota Timberwolves are in any hurry to sign D'Angelo Russell to a contract extension.

"I have not heard any discussion about (D'Angelo Russell) getting an extension," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on The Scoop w/ Doogie podcast.

Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News responded to Windhorst by saying Russell's agents reached out to Minnesota, but "it doesn't seem like it's being reciprocated."

Russell is heading into the final year of his contract and will make $31.4 million this season. Barring a return to All-Star form in 2022-23, he will almost certainly have to take a significant pay cut with his next contract. He averaged 18.1 points, 7.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game last season, solid numbers but ones that continue an all-around plateau in his development.

The Ohio State product has never shot better than 43.4 percent from the floor, and his per-minute production has been eerily similar every year since he was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017.

Minnesota acquired Russell midway through the 2019-20 season as a way of appeasing an increasingly disgruntled Karl-Anthony Towns. Russell and Towns maintain a close friendship, and the Timberwolves were hopeful that the off-court relationship would spark on the floor.

While both continued to perform well as individuals, the Timberwolves' trajectory did not change until a true co-star in Anthony Edwards arrived to help lead the franchise. Edwards, Towns and the recently acquired Rudy Gobert are the clear cornerstones of the Wolves, and Russell is an understandable afterthought.

Minnesota coach Chris Finch benched Russell for stretches during the 2022 playoffs in favor of former undrafted free agent Jordan McLaughlin; that's not exactly a sign of long-term confidence.

Still, Russell has maintained a desire to stay with the Wolves, and Minnesota is not a hotbed of free-agent interest, so it would probably behoove the Wolves to ink him to a new deal simply to avoid losing him for nothing next July. They aren't going to be able to replace Russell's cap number next season with Gobert and Towns on the books for $77 million; the cap math just doesn't work out.

If Russell is willing to take a deal in the four-year, $90-100 million range, it's something management should consider.

Minnesota Timberwolves players were reportedly "shocked" by the team's blockbuster offseason trade to acquire All-Star center Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz.

In July, the Wolves dealt Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, four first-round draft picks and a pick swap to acquire the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Minnesota's internal reaction to the trade Friday on The Hoop Collective podcast (24:15 mark of video).

"I talked to some of their guys," Windhorst said. "They expressed that they were shocked when that trade went down. That they had a euphoria about the season, winning that play-in opportunity, getting to the Memphis series and battling with the Grizzlies. And, like, they were assuming they were going to run it back. And the team had extended [Beverley], and Beverley was beloved on that roster. The players were kind of stunned. But as I pointed out, Rudy Gobert is pretty good, with all due respect to the guys they traded."

Judging by how the NBA offseason ground to the halt after that trade, the Wolves' locker room likely wasn't the only group stunned by the scope of the deal.

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant requested a trade but, given the king's ransom Minnesota paid for Gobert, it was borderline impossible for another team to come up with an offer that would have been fair-market value for KD, who ultimately rescinded the request.

Fred Katz of The Athletic reported in late July the Gobert deal set the bar at an "objectively nonsensical" level and pushed the trade market toward a point where it "collapses in on itself," which is essentially what happened over the final two months of the summer.

Of course, if the trade allows Minnesota to emerge as a legitimate championship contender, the price it paid to acquire Gobert becomes far less of an issue.

The Timberwolves feature an intriguing projected lineup with Gobert joined by Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards and Kyle Anderson.

There are a couple key questions, though: Is it still possible to build a title-winning team on the foundation of post players, including an old-school center, and does the roster feature enough depth to overcome any injuries that may arise?

The team's new man in the middle expressed optimism about what the team can accomplish this season, especially at the defensive end, on Tuesday.

"There will be situations when I'm going to have to [switch], and I love to do it," Gobert said. "The more important thing is whatever we do, we're on the same page. We all understand the lineup that's on the floor, who we're playing against and we have our mind focused on that. If we do that, we can be a top defense in this league."

Minnesota is set to tip off the preseason Tuesday against the Miami Heat and will open the regular season Oct. 19 when it hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For better or worse, the Wolves will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch in 2022-23.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is already known for his offensive prowess, but he has high aspirations for his defensive performance this season as well.

Edwards told reporters on Thursday that he intends to guard the best opposing player "the majority of the time" and would be "salty" if he isn't selected to the All-Defensive team by the end of the year:

The 21-year-old averaged 1.5 steals last season to go with 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He has a career defensive rating of 114.2, per StatMuse.

Edwards and the Timberwolves should take a major step forward defensively this season after acquiring three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz. Minnesota ranked 24th in the NBA last season with opponents averaging 113.3 points against them.

Edwards' commitment to upping his production on the defensive end will surely make a difference in 2022-23.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined by the NBA for his use of anti-gay language in an Instagram story earlier this month.

The league announced a $40,000 fine for Edwards for "using offensive and derogatory language" on social media.

The video was posted on Edwards' Instagram story on Sept. 11. It showed (warning: video contains anti-gay language and a racial slur) a group of shirtless men standing on a sidewalk when a voice is heard calling them "queer-ass n---as."

Shortly after the video came out, Edwards issued an apology on Twitter:

Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly released a statement about Edwards' comments on Sept. 12.

"We are disappointed in the language and actions Anthony Edwards displayed on social media," Connelly said. "The Timberwolves are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organization for all and apologize for the offense this has caused to so many."

Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar condemned Edwards' video in a post on his Substack, noting it "perpetuates prejudice against a group and that prejudice often leads to restricting rights and to violence."

Abdul-Jabbar cited a similar situation from 2021 in which Kevin Durant was fined $50,000 by the NBA for using homophobic and misogynistic language in a series of direct messages to actor Michael Rapaport.

"Edwards needs to repair the damage with some voluntary community service with LGBTQ+ organizations, particularly youth groups, to show his support," Abdul-Jabbar wrote.

Edwards was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He is entering his third season with the T-Wolves.

Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants to see more than just words from Anthony Edwards after the Minnesota Timberwolves guard made anti-gay comments.

Abdul-Jabbar wrote about Edwards on his Substack (h/t Brad Sullivan of Lakers Daily) and said the best way for the young player to "repair the damage" is through volunteer work instead of just an apology:

"It would be easy to dismiss Edwards' immaturity—he's only 21—if not for the fact that we've seen so many cases of famous athletes and owners in the news spouting racism, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. This damages sports in general and their teams specifically, and revives the old stereotype of the dumb, bullying jock.

"But more important, it perpetuates prejudice against a group and that prejudice often leads to restricting rights and to violence. I don't think an apology—however heartfelt—is enough. Edwards needs to repair the damage with some voluntary community service with LGBTQ+ organizations, particularly youth groups, to show his support. If he can't do that much to undo the harm he's caused, then his apology is meaningless."

Edwards was heard on a video using anti-gay language to criticize a group of men, which led to plenty of criticism on social media.

He took to Twitter on Sept. 11 and said he was "incredibly sorry" for using such language:

Abdul-Jabbar is one of the best players in NBA history, but he is known for more than just his basketball ability.

He was a social justice activist during and after his career, and the NBA even created the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy to honor the player who follows in his footsteps when it comes to social justice.

He has also never hesitated to criticize current players, including LeBron James, for what he sees as failures to live up to certain standards, and Edwards is the latest example.

Edwards, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft, figures to be a face of the franchise for the Timberwolves for years to come. Abdul-Jabbar believes there is an opportunity to mitigate some of the harm he caused with his words but only through certain actions.

The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a deal with free-agent guard P.J. Dozier, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Dozier was limited to 18 games in 2021-22, averaging 5.4 points and shooting 31.3 percent from beyond the arc. He suffered a season-ending torn ACL last November.

Wojnarowski reported in June he was fully cleared for basketball activities, so his availability for Minnesota's training camp won't be in doubt.

Dozier took quite the journey last year.

The Denver Nuggets traded the 25-year-old to the Boston Celtics in January as part of a three-team deal. Boston subsequently shipped him to the Orlando Magic, who quickly waived him amid their ongoing rebuild.

Dozier has averaged 17.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per 100 possessions across his career, according to Basketball Reference.

The 6'6" guard has limited value on offense. He isn't a natural playmaker, and his 31.9 percent career clip from beyond the arc speaks for itself. Defending has been his hallmark to this point.

Because of that, Dozier might be able to carve out a role on a crowded Timberwolves roster.

The Wolves added an elite defensive big in Rudy Gobert, but some wonder whether they may experience the same problems that plagued the Jazz with Gobert. It doesn't matter how good the Frenchman is protecting the rim when smaller guards and forwards have an almost unimpeded path to the basket.

A backcourt partnership of D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards leaves something to be desired on defense, and both stand 6'4".

Dozier could add some more length and a higher defensive upside when he's on the floor.

Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said the franchise was "disappointed" by recent comments made by Anthony Edwards on social media.

On Instagram, Edwards posted a video (warning: video contains anti-gay language and a racial slur) in which he showed a group of men and said, "Look at these queer-ass n---as."

Connelly released a statement on the matter Monday: "We are disappointed in the language and actions Anthony Edwards displayed on social media. The Timberwolves are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organization for all and apologize for the offense this has caused to so many."

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch also told KSTP's Darren Wolfson the situation was a "teachable moment" and "certainly not something we condone."

Edwards apologized Sunday, calling his words "immature, hurtful, and disrespectful."

PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) told TMZ Sports that it is "ready to help" Edwards if he's open to it.

"The impact that public figures like professional athletes have is tremendous, and in this case, the message that was sent was of shame and ridicule," PFLAG told TMZ Sports. "But PFLAG believes that allies are all on a journey, and we hope this will be the beginning of a journey towards allyship for Anthony Edwards—and we're here and ready to help."

The 21-year-old is approaching his third season in the NBA. He averaged 21.3 points and 3.8 assists last year, helping Minnesota reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

If recent history is an indicator, the league could decide to weigh in on Edwards' comments.

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant received a $50,000 fine in April 2021 after actor Michael Rapoport shared private messages in which the 12-time All-Star used anti-gay and misogynistic language.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had to write a $25,000 check after he used an anti-gay remark in a postgame interview.

Karl-Anthony Towns appears determined to prove his doubters wrong.

The Minnesota Timberwolves big man told Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports that any concern over his pairing with Rudy Gobert next season is overblown.

"I think that Rudy's one of the best defensive players we've ever had in the NBA. He has the hardware to prove it," Towns said. "I think I'm one of the best offensive players and talents the NBA has ever seen. So putting us together gives us really a whole spectrum of talent to use."

In the aftermath of the Wolves' blockbuster trade for Gobert, some wondered how the two big men would fit in the modern NBA. Teams have increasingly eschewed two-big lineups in favor of having rangier 4s who can switch more readily against guards.

Towns says he's more capable of defending out on the perimeter than his reputation may indicate and added he's willing to sacrifice to make the partnership work.

"I've sacrificed at every level. I've sacrificed narratives of me. I've sacrificed possibly being the No. 1 pick in college when I fully accepted the platoon system. You know, no one else does that," Towns said. "I came to the NBA, I sacrificed everything I can, my body included, to try to get us to the playoffs. I sacrificed everything. I've sacrificed my life. I've sacrificed time with my mother. I've sacrificed public opinion of me. All for the betterment of my team, my teammates, their lives, what they're trying to accomplish."

While Towns has a long way to go in moving up the ranks of NBA history, he is certainly one of the best offensive bigs of his generation—and perhaps the greatest shooting center in history. Towns is a career 39.7 percent shooter from three-point range and has been over the 40-percent mark in four of the past five seasons.

Nikola Jokic eclipses Towns in the best offensive big man category by virtue of his generational passing, but it'd be fair to put the Minnesota All-Star in second place.

Gobert is the best defensive center of this generation, having already won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. His periodic struggles with rangier bigs have cropped up in the playoffs, and it's fair to wonder whether giving up a boatload of future first-round draft picks for a 30-year-old 7-footer likely starting his decline was a prudent move.

Regardless, it's hard to argue there's much overlapping skillset between Gobert and Towns.