Summary

A drama-filled and overall disappointing 2018-19 season has the Timberwolves fan base eager to turn the page and look forward to a new season. Former head coach Tom Thibodeaux has moved on to ESPN as an NBA analyst after being fired in January, and two-way star Jimmy Butler landed in Miami this off-season after being previously traded to Philadelphia. The team hired interim head coach Ryan Saunders in May as the new full-time head coach moving forward.

The Wolves were active on draft night trading up five spots and selecting shooting guard Jarrett Culver from Texas Tech with the sixth overall pick. The team also brought in veterans to bolster depth, signing Shabazz Napier, Jordan Bell, Noah Vonleh and others. However, aside from these minor roster moves, this team largely returns the core of their team from last season, centered around durable superstar Karl-Anthony Towns and his supporting cast of Robert Covington, Andrew Wiggins, and Jeff Teague.

The Timberwolves were significantly hampered by injuries last season, finishing in the bottom third of the league in games, salary dollars, and minutes lost to injury. Despite the setback, head athletic trainer Gregg Farnam remains well-regarded around the league and is one of the longest tenured athletic trainers in the league.

In an attempt to address this issue, the Timberwolves organization hired Dr. Robby Sikka in June as the new Vice President of Basketball Performance and Technology. Sikka previously worked as the CEO and co-founder of Sports Medicine Analytics Research Team (SMART) and hopes to help the team improve its overall performance in injury prevention, recovery, and player development.

Covington underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in April but was an active participant in training camp. Teague also spent the offseason recovering from injury, after being troubled by persistent foot and ankle issues last year that led to a left ankle debridement procedure.

The Timberwolves will have their work cut out for them competing in a once-again loaded Western Conference but significant improvement in injury management will go a long way towards helping this team return to playoff contention.

Contributor: Lucas Spence, PA-C