Shortly after a loss to the New York Knicks, the Minnesota Timberwolves fired their head coach. It was announced that his replacement was already chosen. Although the NBA community was surprised with the move and the timing, sources say Ryan Saunders job was in jeopardy for some time now. At the time of his departure, Minnesota boasts a record of 7-24 (22.7%) on the season and 43-94 (31.4%) overall during Saunders’ tenure.
What does the coaching change mean for fantasy managers?
Due to injuries and COVID-19, The Timberwolves have used 14 different starting lineups this season. The most used starting lineup in recent games was Ricky Rubio, Malik Beasley, Anthony Edwards, Jarred Vanderbilt and Karl-Anthony Towns (This lineup started 4 of 5 last games). At this moment, three of the starters positions are set for the rest of the season barring injury.
Malik Beasley is averaging 20.2 points 4.8 rebounds 2.5 assists and 3.4 three pointers made per game on 44.9% shooting on through 31 games. He looks like an excellent signing by the organization. There was concern he may miss games due to his legal troubles but we learned recently that Beasley was sentenced to 120 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse – to be served at the end of the season. He is locked in.
Anthony Edwards was the 1st overall selection in last year’s draft. He is averaging 14.3 points 3.6 rebounds 2.5 assists and 1.8 three pointers made per game on 37% shooting in 31 games this season. The Timberwolves will give him every chance to develop in what is looking like a lost season. He has a lot to room for improvement and should only get better playing more minutes. He is locked in.
Karl-Anthony Towns is also a former number 1 overall pick and is still seen as the cornerstone of the franchise. He is averaging 22.0 points 11.2 rebounds 3.5 assists 2 blocks and 2 three pointers made per game through 11 games. He dealt with a wrist injury early on and also missed significant time with COVID-19. Early indications say Towns will benefit from the coaching change. Chris Finch mentioned that he has already spoken to Towns about getting him back to being the center point of the team. He is locked in.
D’Angelo Russell is averaging 19.3 points 2.6 rebounds 5.1 assists and 3 three pointers made per game in 20 games this season. He is currently sidelined after a knee procedure. When the team traded for him last season they envisioned he and Towns would be a 1-2 punch. Unfortunately, the Towns and Russell have only played 5 games together. If he returns this season, he will replace Rubio as the starting point guard in Minnesota.
That leaves us with an unsettled Power Forward position. Josh Okogie, Jarret Culver, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake Layman have all started for the Timberwolves this season.
Jarret Culver is a former lottery pick who has yet to establish himself as a reliable member of the Timberwolves rotation. He is currently out with an ankle injury. It seems early to give up on Culver so the new coach may want to give him an opportunity to earn some minutes.
Josh Okogie is known as a solid defender. Coach Saunders added him to the starting lineup for that very reason. He has also been impacted by injury and recently returned to the rotation. His future is the most unclear. More importantly, he does not offer much for fantasy managers.
Jake Layman shows up on the radar once in a while but is not really an impact player for fantasy managers. It is unlikely that changes this season.
Jarred Vanderbilt is averaging 5.3 points 5.9 rebounds 1.8 assists in 16 games. He is also a solid defender. What makes his different from Okogie is his potential to be an impact player in fantasy basketball. He is not a good free throw shooter, does not shoot threes and is not much of a scorer. However, he excels in rebounding, steals and blocks. He boast per 36 minutes averages of 11.0 points 10.9 rebounds 3.2 assists 2 steals and 1.2 blocks. These are numbers that could boost hopes of claiming a fantasy basketball championship this year.
Jaden McDaniels is a former 1st round pick. Anthony Edwards gets all the attention but make no mistake about it – McDaniels is an exciting prospect as well. He is averaging 6.2 points 3.9 rebounds 1.1 assists 1.3 blocks and 1.2 three pointers made per game in 16 games. His per 36 averages are 10.3 points 6.5 rebounds 1.8 assists 2 blocks and 2 three pointers made per game. McDaniels is also seen as a defensive prospect but his ability to shoot the three will set him apart from the others on the list.
Right now Vanderbilt is the starting Power Forward in Minnesota but McDaniels is not too far behind. If either player is able to establish himself as the clear first options, there will be a lot of fantasy mangers who would benefit. It will very interesting to see who Chris Finch opts to start at Power Forward in his first game in charge.
