Minnesota Timberwolves in ‘win-now mode’
The Minnesota Timberwolves believed they put together a formidable roster around star power forward Kevin Love to compete for playoff spot.
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The Timberwolves would have likely been correct if they played in the Eastern Conference where the 38-44 Atlanta Hawks made the postseason. Instead, with a record of 40-42, they finished nine games out of the postseason in the Western Conference.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Timberwolves are in “win now mode.”
"The Timberwolves have been busy. Not just on the Kevin Love front, which according to sources likely is going nowhere as Flip Saunders proclaimed early on in the process. The Wolves have also been sniffing around with their own draft pick, the 13th selection. The Wolves are said to covet a knock down shooter and may find a couple of candidates there at 13, however they seem more than willing to move down and return themselves a veteran asset.The Wolves are in “win now” mode, according to several teams that have tried to extract Love, and they are willing to trade out of the 13th pick altogether if it gets them something they can bank on.It’s believed that Jose Barea ($4.519 million), Corey Brewer ($4.702 million) and Alexey Shved ($3.15 million) could all be had on draft night along with the 13th pick to either move up to obtain a serious draft prospect or to move out and return a solid proven veteran."
It the Timberwolves believe they can use this season to convince Love to return to the team, they are likely mistaken. They have to acquire assets before they lose Love for nothing. Of course, they do have until the deadline to do so.