The Minnesota Timberwolves look loaded from top to bottom, and even with only two preseason games in the books, the starters already seem to be finding a better rhythm than plenty of people expected. The second unit, though, is a different story. It has flashed real juice, but it has also produced the kind of wild swings that can turn a game upside down in a hurry.
That unpredictability may be baked into the way the bench is built. On its best nights, this group can be a blast to watch, packed with explosive plays and shot-making. On its worst nights, it can spiral fast enough that fans are ready to see the starters back on the floor.
If Minnesota believes this roster can chase a championship - and that is not exactly a ridiculous idea - then the bench has to become at least manageable. Right now, it looks like a unit that can win you a stretch or lose you one just as quickly.
Ayo Dosunmu stands out as the most dependable reserve in the mix, and Donte DiVincenzo should bring another steady hand once he returns from injury. Beyond that, the Wolves are dealing with a lot of boom-or-bust talent.
Joan Beringer’s upside is obvious, and the long-term projection is clear enough to imagine him as a starting center once Rudy Gobert ages out. But he is still not even 20 years old, and the learning curve has shown up in the form of fouls. His preseason growth has been encouraging, but he is still getting too block-happy for comfort.
Bones Hyland brings a completely different kind of volatility. When Bones gets "bizzy", he can be one of the most entertaining players in the league.
Everyone remembers the playoffs last season, when he crossed over Spencer Jones and then drilled a 30-plus-foot bomb. But the other side of that coin showed up in the San Antonio Spurs series, when the shot stopped falling and he could barely see the court.
Terrence Shannon Jr. gives the bench another high-variance option. He attacks the rim without fear, and when he is in rhythm, he can look unstoppable.
When the defense closes in and the play gets crowded, though, he can force the action, pile up turnovers, and bog down the offense. He also struggles to play off the ball.
For Minnesota, the cleanest way to smooth all of that out may be keeping one of LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards on the floor at all times. They are the team’s best players, but they are also the ones most capable of settling everything down. Ball runs the offense naturally and lifts the players around him, while Edwards knows how to keep his poise when the game tightens up.
If Chris Finch does not stagger those two, the Timberwolves’ bench is probably going to stay exactly what it has looked like so far: wildly entertaining, frustratingly inconsistent, and very much boom-or-bust.
In Other News...
Naz Reid Just Reminded Wolves Fans How Rare Ant Really Is
Naz Reids move to Charlotte has already given him a different front-row seat on young talent, and he recently drew a familiar comparison when discussing Brandon Millers trajectory. Reid pointed to the kind of growth he saw from Anthony Edwards, the former Timberwolves star who turned a major leap from his third year into his fourth into one of the leagues most eye-catching ascents. The comparison makes sense on the surface: both players have size, scoring touch and the kind of talent that can tilt a game on its own.
But Edwards remains the rare exception for a reason, and that is where the conversation gets interesting for Minnesota fans still measuring every promising wing against Ants standard. Miller can look like a future centerpiece, especially with the right teammates and a steady offensive role, yet the gap between being a good young scorer and becoming the kind of force Edwards is becoming is enormous. Reids perspective serves as another reminder that Edwards blend of athleticism, production and impact is not just hard to find, it is hard to duplicate. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Already Face A Jonathan Kuminga Question They Can't Ignore
Jonathan Kumingas fit is already drawing close attention in Minnesota after a preseason look against Indiana underscored both the upside and the volatility that come with him. The Timberwolves see real value in adding a player with his talent and physical tools, but the early returns also showed why his role will not be simple to sort out as the regular season approaches.
Kumingas offensive stretches can make the floor feel bigger for Minnesota, yet the recent game also highlighted the kind of uneven possessions that can stall rhythm at times. The defensive end has its own questions, with the kind of off-ball breakdowns and shot selection issues that force a team to weigh the promise against the growing pains before it becomes a bigger problem. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Rookie Braden Smith Drew A Strange Reaction In His Debut
The Pacers preseason win over Minnesota at Hilton Coliseum had an unexpected edge to it, one centered on rookie guard Braden Smith. In his first NBA preseason appearance, Smith handled the stage well and said he enjoyed the competitive atmosphere, even as the crowd around him turned the night into something more personal than a routine exhibition.
What puzzled Indiana was the reaction itself, which drew the attention of head coach Rick Carlisle and teammate Tyrese Haliburton. Smith seemed to take it in stride, but the unusual reception added a curious wrinkle to a game that otherwise served as an encouraging early look at the Pacers young backcourt and the way outsiders are already paying close attention to Smiths place in the league. [Read more 🡒]