The Minnesota Timberwolves must be delighted with their performance this season, since many believed they had a chance to make the playoffs going into the season, but there were still many uncertainties. Despite missing some important players for parts of the season, they're now 24-23.
Minnesota must be pleased with the performances of Karl Anthony Towns, second-year standout Anthony Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell this season. All of them have demonstrated that they have the ability to be a high-level scorer in this league, and have to be pleased that they have finally found guys that they can maintain for a long time in order to attempt to get something going in Minnesota.
Although Minnesota certainly has those three players who have been a big part of why they've been able to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference, they've had a few other guys stand out this season and do the hard work for them. They also have a player like Patrick Beverley, who has missed more games than he had hoped for so far this season, but who is going to return and be a force on defense and do all the little things correctly for this club.
Let's take a look at the three unsung heroes of this year's Minnesota Timberwolves team.
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Timberwolves Unsung Heroes
3. Naz Reid
When Karl Anthony-Town had to be sidelined, Naz Reid isn't one of those players who will hurt a team, in his 16.3 minutes per night, he has been more than serviceable and played a key part when Towns was out. In the 16 minutes he gets to play each night, he averages five points and four rebounds, which is more than serviceable. He's one of those players who may be traded from this Timberwolves club, but that would be a poor choice on their part because he's improved his game since joining the league. He's getting better and better, and he has the potential to be a very good center in this league one day.
Although it may make sense if the Timberwolves decide to trade him because they clearly have their star center in Karl Anthony-Towns, he's someone who they should consider keeping because if Towns suffers an injury, he'll be the guy who will need to step up for them and fill in the central role, and not only can he do that, but he can also be more than serviceable in the minutes he'll have to play.
2. Malik Beasley
Malik Beasley may be having a down year in terms of scoring, but he is playing some of his best basketball in a long time. He averaged 20.7 points per game in 14 games for the Timberwolves from 2019 to 2020, and this season he has a much bigger sample size and is now averaging 12 points per game in 47 games. Beasley has been a big reason why the Timberwolves have been able to find some of their success this season, as he's someone who loves shooting the 3-point shot and does it at a high level.
Malik Beasley has not only been a capable shooter, but he has also been able to set up his teammates when he is on the court.
If they opt to keep D'Angelo Russell, he's another player who might be dealt since he might not get the minutes he wants when Patrick Beverley returns to the squad. Minnesota must also recognize that he is still only 25 years old, and many competing clubs will be seeking a guard to come off the bench at the trade deadline, which means they can get a favorable return.
1. Patrick Beverley
Patrick Beverley has only played in 32 games this season, but when he did play, he was doing all of the small things that he has done throughout his career. He's one of those players that you want on your squad but despise having to play against. He'll make it difficult for every team he plays against, and he'll strive to get under an opponent's skin in order to make them play as poorly as they've ever played.
Patrick Beverley is one of those guys who does all of the small things right on the floor. He consistently defends at a high level and gives everything he has to assist his team to win. When he returns, he'll be one of the players the Timberwolves will be looking at closely to help them secure a playoff berth and perhaps make some noise in the Western Conference if they can get things clicking at the right moment. He will have the job of guarding many top players in the playoffs, and will have to succeed in his role.
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