With their highest win total since the 2006/2007 season, the Timberwolves can look forward to next season with a sense of optimism thanks to an improving core of young players featuring Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams. Starting center Nikola Pekovic has also emerged as a solid contributor to a team that looks a few pieces away from being a legitimate playoff contender in the coming seasons. Let's head to Minnesota to check up on the latest news from the Timberwolves.
- Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press says Williams wants to use the offseason to get into outstanding shape like Love did last year. Williams, a power forward by trade, would like to get down to 225-230 pounds so that he could potentially play either of the forward positions. Love is currently the starting power forward for the Timberwolves while Michael Beasley and Wesley Johnson have split time at small forward.
- Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman has been tracking the Jazz's chances for making the playoffs given how Utah's fate will determine if the T-Wolves will have a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. If the Jazz make the playoffs, the Timberwolves will receive Utah's first-round draft pick (expected to be in the mid- to late teens), but the team would be left without a selection in the first round if the Jazz fail to make the playoffs. "We're certainly following it," Adelman said. "That'll add more excitement to the draft for us."
- Zgoda spoke with backup center Anthony Tolliver, who said that his agent has had informal talks with the Timberwoles about a contract extension this offseason. Tolliver, an unrestricted free agent who has expressed interest in staying in Minneapolis, cannot receive a formal contract offer from the team until July 1. "There have been talks, but you never know on something like that," Tolliver said. "I'd love to stay, but so much can happen between now and then."