Game Preview: The Wolves at Lakers, Minnesota begin their 2024-25 season

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers
Date: October 4, 2024
Time: 9:30 p.m. CDT
Location: Acrisure Arena
TV coverage: NBA TV

After what feels like an eternity, Minnesota Timberwolves basketball is finally back. The last time we saw this team, they were coming off the court after a heartbreaking loss in the Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Mavericks. Wolves Nation was still excited about winning its first playoff series in 20 years and the most in franchise history, but there was also a sense of disappointment. This team had the talent to reach the 2024 NBA Finals, but they failed.

For months we all assumed that the wolves would “hit back.” The squad was stacked. There were no major rumors. It seemed like the Wolves would take another shot at the title with their core intact. But then Tim Connelly decided to drop a bomb on the Big North, sending a nine-year veteran and four-time All-Star Karl Anthony cities to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates Diopand a heavily protected first-round pick from Detroit. Yes, it's safe to say that this year's Timberwolves will not be a carbon copy of last year's team.

This isn't just a roster change. This is a whole new dynamic. Anthony Edwards is clearly the alpha dog now, no debate. Last season we saw him gradually take over the reins from Towns, but now it's undoubtedly his team. Edwards is the present and future of the Timberwolves, the cornerstone of the franchise on which they are built.

He will still have his experienced crew around him –Mike Conley Jr., Rudy Gobertand rising stars like Jaden McDaniels, Naz ReidAnd Nickel Alexander-Walker. But the gap that KAT leaves behind is huge and will continue to be so Julius Randle to fill that hole in the paint, both with his size and his scoring ability. And Donte DiVincenzo? He will be crucial in keeping his distance from the ground with his long-range shots.

The Wolves begin their preseason against the Lakers in LA, the same team they will face in the season opener on October 22nd. Let's be honest: this is a preparation game. We won't see the full extent of what this team will look like. How much run will the starters make before Chris Finch shifts his focus to the bench and the younger players? It's anyone's guess.

But the main thing that excites me is seeing Rob Dillingham makes his NBA debut. The kid showed flashes during the Las Vegas Summer League, but now he'll be playing against NBA talent. How will he deal with this? Will he carve out a spark plug role off the bench?

I'm looking forward to it too Julius Randle And Donte DiVincenzo for the first time in Wolves uniforms. Will they hit it off with their new teammates straight away, or will it take some time to develop chemistry? Of course, this assumes they play at all, as they lack training time with the team. Randle is still questionable for this game after offseason shoulder surgery, so it's possible we won't see him at all. I'm excited to get a glimpse of how these new pieces will fit into the Wolves' rotation.

Let's face it – the wolves are a bit of a mystery at the moment. This roster overhaul has only just happened and Chris Finch will need some time to figure out the rotations and style of play. But the excitement is back. Timberwolves basketball is back. And while we may not know exactly how this season will unfold, anticipation is high. Could this be the best season in franchise history?

It's time to find out.