After their scintillating run to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a massive uproar before the next campaign. With Anthony Edwards placed in the center and brilliant complements around him, they proved to be tenacious each time they were out on the floor. The only concern extends beyond the team into the ongoing ownership battle. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are fighting Glen Taylor to claim a majority stake and those tensions can leak into the team’s stability and morale.

At least that was the No. 1 concern for Tim MacMahon, who felt it could have a detrimental effect on the potential future and the coming season. As a result, there is some pressure on the Minnesota rookies in particular. Brian Windhorst, even though unsure about their immediate utility, feels the Wolves have under-the-radar pieces that could significantly aid their roster.

“That to me is one of the things to watch early in the season. Rob Dillingham, he may not be ready to contribute but he absolutely fits a role that you need. You can see him coming as an off-the-bench scorer who can make an impact. And Terrence Shannon slid way down in the draft because of the off-court concerns and probably talent-wise. I think he was the 27th pick right there. Talent-wise in this draft, not that I am a draft expert, he was the 27th best player,” Windy said on Hoops Collective.

The Wolves, having lost Kyle Anderson, need a well-rounded player to hold it together. Terrence Shannon Jr. developed into a ravishing two-way force in his final collegiate season. The 24-year-old is also a lethal scorer, capable of making an instant impact. Rob Dillingham, on the other hand, is pure swagger, with a shifty handle and desire to score. He averaged a healthy 44.4% from deep across 32 games in Kentucky. Even though 6’2″, his unrelenting vigor can be pivotal for the Wolves, giving them some, as Tim MacMahon phrased it, “immediate juice off the bench.”

The pressure is applied for multiple reasons. With the West race as packed as it is, every advantage could end up giving or taking a higher seed. With the Wolves, they need offensive firepower besides the likes of Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to be fully equipped.

In case their ownership battle leads to an inability to shed a large luxury tax bill, Rob Dillingham and Shannon Jr. will have to make huge leaps come next season. However, while it was a troublesome issue before, a stingy atmosphere doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore.

Timberwolves roster to stay untouched regardless of ownership outcome

At one point, there were whispers that Glen Taylor’s ownership might not be willing to pay the luxury tax bill. This season, the Wolves have a projected bill of $51 million, the second largest behind the Suns‘ gigantic $92 million estimate. However, recent reports suggest both representations align on one side when it comes to the team’s ability to compete. They are both willing to pay the luxury tax. Hence, as far as roster instability goes, the Timberwolves don’t have anything to worry about. However, nothing can be said about next season since the bill will only grow as contract prices inflate and they become repeat offenders.

In a bracket of 7 names that includes Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, Mike Conley, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, will earn a combined $186 million. The first apron of the 2024-25 luxury tax is projected to be 178.7 million and the second apron starts at an estimated $189.5 million.

Luckily, since the luxury payment is done at the end of the season, the Wolves could offload certain players if the roster isn’t looking as successful as they did last season. Although, with the same players returning and supreme rookie pickups that fill their weaknesses, the chances of them dwindling behind the likes of OKC are minuscule. The Wolves, powered by Ant, should remain just as lethal as they were last year, if not more since they came inches within being in the NBA Finals.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.