A Promising Start To A Tumultuous Season

The 2016-17 Minnesota Timberwolves: A Season of Transition and Hope

A Promising Start to a Tumultuous Season

The 2016-17 season marked a new era for the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a disappointing 2015-16 campaign, the team made significant changes to its roster and coaching staff. With the addition of young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the Wolves entered the season with high expectations.

Key Roster Moves

The Timberwolves' most notable addition was Zach LaVine, who was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in a trade for Kris Dunn. LaVine, a dynamic shooting guard with a knack for scoring, was expected to provide the team with much-needed offensive firepower. The team also signed veteran forward Gorgui Dieng to a four-year contract extension.

A Drastic Turn of Events

Despite the promising roster, the season did not unfold as expected. The Wolves stumbled out of the gate, losing their first four games. The team's struggles continued throughout the season, as injuries and inconsistency plagued its rotation.

Coaching Changes and a Late-Season Surge

In mid-February, the Timberwolves fired head coach Sam Mitchell and replaced him with interim coach Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau, known for his defensive-minded philosophy, implemented a more disciplined approach that helped the team rally late in the season. Led by LaVine's breakout campaign, the Timberwolves went 13-8 in their final 21 games, providing hope for the future. Despite missing the playoffs, the team showed signs of progress and laid the foundation for the following season.