Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished the 2012-2013 NBA season with a record of 31-51, the most wins for the franchise since the departure of Kevin Garnett from the team. However, it was also a disappointing season where injuries derailed a great deal of hope that the team and fans had leading up to the season. Now the Timberwolves face an off-season full of uncertainty.
For starters, they don’t know whether head coach Rick Adelman or president of basketball operations David Kahn will return next season, both of which would alter the course and the projections for this team. The even more troubling part there is the fact that there has been little word about what decisions will be made in the case of either Adelman or Kahn.
In regards to the Wolves’ roster, though, there are also a few troubling things. The most notable of those things is the fact that Andrei Kirilenko and Nikola Pekovic will both have the opportunity to leave Minnesota once free agency begins. Pekovic will become a restricted free agent while Kirilenko has a player option in his contract for next season. That means they could potentially both be gone next year, leaving the Wolves with a nucleus of Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. That’s a solid start, but that’s not going to take Minnesota to the playoffs.
If the Timberwolves can find a way to get Pekovic signed to stay with them and to convince Kirilenko to stay, though, they will be in prime position to make a run at a solid position in the playoffs next season. A core of Love, Rubio, Pekovic and Kirilenko was the plan for this past season that had high expectations, but was ruined by injuries. There’s a chance that we could see that group actually get to play together next year, though. If that happens, watch out for the Wolves.
Cody Williams is a Senior NBA Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
