MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – One of the most interesting roster experiments in the NBA is happening in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves have assembled a mentorship program of sorts for a promising young core of talent.
President of basketball operations Flip Saunders and general manager Milt Newton brought in three veterans over the age of 35 to show five pups under the age of 23 how to be pros.
After more than a decade of futility that has included four 60-loss seasons and no playoff appearances since 2004, the Timberwolves finally appear to be assembling the kind of team needed to one day drag them out of the abyss. So they’re leaving nothing to chance.
This summer they re-signed 39-year-old Kevin Garnett and added 39-year-old point guard Andre Miller and 35-year-old wing Tayshaun Prince to give them tutors at every level for a group that includes 20-year-old Andrew Wiggins, the reigning rookie of the year, 19-year-old Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall pick, and 20-year-old Zach LaVine, the slam dunk champion.
“They have been everything we hoped they would be,” Newton said. “They have set the tone in practice and kept these young guys focused and really showed them what it takes to be a professional in this league.”