3 biggest needs the Minnesota Timberwolves must address in the 2021 NBA offseason

#2 Fix defensive issues

Minnesota Timberwolves ranked among the worst for defensive rating this year

One of the biggest issues the Minnesota Timberwolves need to address in the offseason is their defensive fragility. Despite having several dominant assets on offense, the T-Wolves had the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA. They ranked among the bottom-three sides for points and assists allowed, opposition field-goal percentage and opposition three-point percentage.

Considering their lack of cap space, the Timberwolves may have to scour the free agency market to acquire savvy veteran defenders on cheaper salaries or trade out one of the bigger contracts.

Alternatively, though, they should seek to improve their defensive structure throughout the offseason. Edwards, Towns, and Russell can score 60+ points a night between them if they stay fit. So the emphasis in training over the summer should be on creating a ruggedness on the other side of the ball.

#3 Amend center options behind Towns

Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid goes up for tip-off

Although Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the most dominant big men in the league, he has played just 85 games in the last two seasons. Should his injury plight continue, the Minnesota Timberwolves need to make sure they put themselves in a position to suitably replace his minutes.

First, that means guaranteeing Naz Reid's contract. The second-year, undrafted center has proven to be a steal for the T-Wolves, with the franchise only having to pay him $1.78m next year.

D-Lo between-the-legs dime to Naz Reid 😧 pic.twitter.com/wlbNkkby2D

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2021

He has proven to be an efficient replacement for Towns, making 70 appearances for Minnesota in the campaign, with 55 of those coming from the bench, averaging 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. More impressively, he shot at a consistent 52% from the field and grabbed 1.1 blocks per 19 minutes that he played.

Conversely, the Minnesota Timberwolves could part ways with third-string big man Ed Davis. Although they may choose to extend his stay and use him as a backup if both Towns and Reid are utilized in the same lineup, as was the case toward the end of the season, the veteran struggled to make much of an impact in his 23 games. Luckily for the T-Wolves, Davis is on an expiring contract which allows them the easy segway into acquiring another cheap option in their rotation.