Predicting the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2015 Starting 5 Following Free Agency

Predicting the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2015 Starting 5 Following Free Agency

By Derek McVay

July 15, 2015

Predicting the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2015 Starting 5 Following Free Agency

Minnesota Timberwolves — The Timberwolves have made one signing so far this offseason: re-signing Kevin Garnett. With the No. 1 pick from each of the last two drafts on the current roster, and likely in the starting lineup, Minnesota is choosing to rely on the development of their young talent. Health will be crucial for Minnesota as their potential starting backcourt missed over 100 games combined last season. Here's what a healthy starting five should look like.

The Timberwolves have made one signing so far this offseason: re-signing Kevin Garnett. With the No. 1 pick from each of the last two drafts on the current roster, and likely in the starting lineup, Minnesota is choosing to rely on the development of their young talent. Health will be crucial for Minnesota as their potential starting backcourt missed over 100 games combined last season. Here's what a healthy starting five should look like.

Point Guard - Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio

Point Guard - Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio — Minnesota is deep at the point guard position with Rubio, Zach Lavine and rookie Tyus Jones. Rubio is the Timberwolves' best facilitator and floor general, averaging over eight assists per game for his career. His problem has been staying on the floor. Injuries have shortened three of Rubio's first four seasons in the NBA. Rubio is Minnesota's best option to start, but how long that lasts remains to be seen.

Minnesota is deep at the point guard position with Rubio, Zach Lavine and rookie Tyus Jones. Rubio is the Timberwolves' best facilitator and floor general, averaging over eight assists per game for his career. His problem has been staying on the floor. Injuries have shortened three of Rubio's first four seasons in the NBA. Rubio is Minnesota's best option to start, but how long that lasts remains to be seen.

Shooting Guard - Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin

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Shooting Guard - Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin — When healthy, Martin is a prolific scorer. He has a great shooting touch, even if his shot is unorthodox. The problem is, he struggles to stay healthy. He has a career average of 18 points per game, but in his 11-year career, he has never appeared in all 82 regular-season games. In only two seasons with Minnesota, Martin has missed over 50 games. A healthy Martin provides another scoring threat alongside Wiggins.

When healthy, Martin is a prolific scorer. He has a great shooting touch, even if his shot is unorthodox. The problem is, he struggles to stay healthy. He has a career average of 18 points per game, but in his 11-year career, he has never appeared in all 82 regular-season games. In only two seasons with Minnesota, Martin has missed over 50 games. A healthy Martin provides another scoring threat alongside Wiggins.

Small Forward - Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins

Small Forward - Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins — The reigning Rookie of the Year, Wiggins was the only member of the Timberwolves who appeared, and started, in all 82 games last year. He lived up to the hype that comes along with being a No. 1 pick by averaging just under 17 points per game. Wiggins is crucial to the future of Minnesota and he'll need to continue to develop parts of his game other than scoring if he hopes to be a franchise-caliber player.

The reigning Rookie of the Year, Wiggins was the only member of the Timberwolves who appeared, and started, in all 82 games last year. He lived up to the hype that comes along with being a No. 1 pick by averaging just under 17 points per game. Wiggins is crucial to the future of Minnesota and he'll need to continue to develop parts of his game other than scoring if he hopes to be a franchise-caliber player.

Power Forward - Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett

Power Forward - Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett — Flip Saunders has already announced that he intends to use Garnett as a starter next year, despite being 39 years old. He may not log the the same amount of minutes that a starter typically would, but he will at least be on the floor to start the game. He may be sniffing 40 years old, but in a limited role, Garnett can still be effective. He'll be instrumental in the development of Karl-Anthony Towns, and he'll help set the tone on defense.

Flip Saunders has already announced that he intends to use Garnett as a starter next year, despite being 39 years old. He may not log the the same amount of minutes that a starter typically would, but he will at least be on the floor to start the game. He may be sniffing 40 years old, but in a limited role, Garnett can still be effective. He'll be instrumental in the development of Karl-Anthony Towns, and he'll help set the tone on defense.

Center - Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns

Center - Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns — Towns admitted to being nervous in his summer league debut. It won't get any easier when he takes the floor as the starting center on opening night. Luckily for Towns, three of his teammates he'll be sharing the floor with were top five picks and understand the pressure and expectations that come with it. He'll also have one of the best big men to ever play the game in Garnett alongside him helping every step of the way.

Towns admitted to being nervous in his summer league debut. It won't get any easier when he takes the floor as the starting center on opening night. Luckily for Towns, three of his teammates he'll be sharing the floor with were top five picks and understand the pressure and expectations that come with it. He'll also have one of the best big men to ever play the game in Garnett alongside him helping every step of the way.

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Minnesota Timberwolves

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