How Can the Timberwolves Survive Without Their Three-Time All-Star Shooting Guard?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a perennial Western Conference Finals team, and this year, they're looking to make it over the hump finally. Their success is built on the rapid improvement made by Anthony Edwards. His finishing was always elite, and last year he improved his game by becoming one of the best three-point shooters in the league. While his rapid improvement is a reason to get excited, Ants' recent hamstring injury has thrown a wrench into the plans, and the Timberwolves should figure out how to tread water while he's gone if they want to maintain their position. 

The Timberwolves have been a top-heavy roster with Ant leading the team. The problem is that when he's out of the game, they don't have enough firepower to compete with the current Western Conference, which becomes more of a blood bath each year. If anyone needs to leap while Ant is out of the game, it's Donte DiVincenzo. After getting traded from the New York Knicks, Donte hasn't been able to play at the level he did with the Knicks. He's seen a drop in points per game and effective field goal percentage. If the Timberwolves have any chance at maintaining their current momentum, they need Donte to leap. This is a likely possibility since, with Ant gone, Minnesota’s offense will need the rest of the team to take more threes, and this is where the former Knick can stand out. 

If there are any other members of the roster that need to step up, it's Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Since winning his last Defensive Player of the Year award, Gobert has had a drop-off in his rebounds, blocks, and points. This isn't too surprising, as Gobert is out of his prime; he needs to step up while Ant is gone. With their top scorer off the floor, the team will need to grab more rebounds to ensure they have more second chances to score. Randle is still a consistent scorer, but he is at his best when he takes on a point-forward role and uses his finesse and strength in the paint to set up the rest of his team. Back when he was playing for the Knicks, he made the All-NBA team. If both Gobert and Randle can show flashes of their prime, then the Timberwolves should be able to survive while Ant-Man is away.