The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons, demonstrating their growing competitiveness but falling short of a championship berth. Former player Austin Rivers recently emphasized that to push past this plateau, significant upgrades to Anthony Edwards’ supporting cast are essential.
Rivers, well acquainted with the team‘s dynamics, pointed out that while Edwards and Jaden McDaniels offer exceptional athleticism, the overall roster lacks the speed and versatility required in today’s NBA. This gap prevents the Timberwolves from having the kind of intangible qualities seen in teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers during their deep playoff runs.
Coach Chris Finch Acknowledges 2024-25 Season as Building Block
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch described the 2024-25 campaign as a modest success, recognizing the team’s progress but also its need for further refinement. Maintaining the momentum from consecutive conference finals appearances requires adjustments, especially in terms of strengthening the supporting lineup around Edwards.
Austin Rivers Highlights Need for a Secondary Playmaker
With a strong understanding of modern NBA team construction, Rivers insisted that Minnesota must add a dominant ball-handler to complement Anthony Edwards. While Mike Conley Jr. brings valuable experience, his age at 37 suggests he may not sustain high-level production for long.
Rivers mentioned the young Rob Dillingham as a potential internal option but suggested that promoting him too rapidly could be premature, given his limited minutes in his rookie year. Rivers stressed the importance of acquiring a guard capable of managing the offense and easing the burden on Edwards.
“You’ve gone to the Conference Finals two years in a row. Clearly, you have some good intel and a good team. You’re just a piece or two away,”
Rivers said on his Off Guard show.
“There needs to be another dominant ball-handler… At this point, they need to get a guard who can take the ball out of Ant’s hands, and say ‘Slow down,’ and have that respect to create and dribble other than him. He needs one other guy.”
—Austin Rivers, former Timberwolves player and analyst
Strategic Moves Could Elevate Timberwolves’ Championship Pursuit
The Timberwolves appear positioned to strengthen by focusing on key roster areas ahead of the upcoming seasons. Holding on to core contributors like Naz Reid and Julius Randle remains important, but enhancing the point guard position is vital to maximize Anthony Edwards’ impact.
The organization could gradually increase Rob Dillingham’s role while also pursuing experienced or high-potential point guards through trades or free agency. Edwards’ reputation as a respected and dynamic teammate across the NBA may attract players willing to take on a supporting role in Minnesota’s offense.
After two Western Conference Finals in a row, the team is unlikely to accept merely competing at that level. Finding a reliable secondary playmaker alongside Edwards could enable the Timberwolves to surpass teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and pursue a genuine championship opportunity. Responsibility for these strategic decisions falls largely to team president Tim Connelly, whose ability to identify the right fit will be critical for Minnesota’s future success.
Jaden McDaniels Expects Growth from Rob Dillingham in 2025-26
Supporting the team’s development plans, Jaden McDaniels expressed confidence that Rob Dillingham will improve throughout the 2025-26 season. This anticipated growth could help Minnesota gradually fill the playmaking void, complementing Edwards’ style of play and contributing to a deeper, more versatile roster.