Locked On Wolves - Daily Podcast On The Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves appeared early and often on the 2025-26 NBA GM Survey, with a predicted top-four finish in the West, plus love for Anthony Edwards, Chris Finch, and more -- plus, some noticeable absences. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down the most surprising additions and omissions and why the general managers' takes vary from your average national pundit.   Support Us By Supporting O...

The Minnesota Timberwolves played their starters for more than half the game in an overtime preseason loss to the New York Knicks. Anthony Edwards got plenty of shots up while Jaden McDaniels and the rest of the Wolves flexed their defensive muscles. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down the key takeaways from this one, including the rotation, the players with the inside track at end-of-the-rotation...

The Minnesota Timberwolves' win projection total by ESPN's Kevin Pelton is far too low -- for the second straight year. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) explains why after lowballing the Wolves last year, the projection model didn't learn its lesson. Progression and continuity with Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and others are a big reason why they certainly won't be worse this season. Plus, thoughts on N...

The Minnesota Timberwolves fell in overtime to the Indiana Pacers in preseason action, but TJ Shannon, Naz Reid, and Johnny Juzang impressed as the Wolves depth was once again on display. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down the Shannon + Naz two-man game and what has been so encouraging about Shannon's play so far this preseason. Plus, more struggles for Rob Dillingham.   Support Us By Supporting...

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch continues to signal that the final rotation spots could be interchangeable and that multiple players could cycle through those roles. Plus, Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) discusses Jaden McDaniels showing more flashes as a playmaker in the preseason opener, and the Wolves take on the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night in their second preseason game.   Support Us...

The Minnesota Timberwolves won their preseason opener against the Denver Nuggets, and Joan Beringer was the story. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down why the Wolves rookie looked the part on both ends of the floor, as well as why second-year wing Terrence Shannon Jr. was so impressive within the halfcourt offense. Plus, lots of Bones Hyland and Johnny Juzang as both veterans battle for roster spo...

The ESPN claim that the Minnesota Timberwolves roster lost significant value is misleading at best. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) explains why the Wolves' roster is not likely to be significantly worse, plus what the Wolves are doing to help their transition offense -- regardless of whether Rudy Gobert is on the floor or not. Also, Mike Conley is ready to have a better start to the season and contribute...

What will be the most surprising aspect of the Minnesota Timberwolves this season that could lift them to where they want to go? Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) evaluates where some unexpected offensive development could come from and why the offense might just surpass the defense this year as the unit the Wolves can trust the most.   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   5-Hour ENERGY Enough with bori...

The Minnesota Timberwolves were the best defensive team in the NBA two seasons ago but slipped on that end of the floor last year. What was different, and how has the defense impacted the Wolves' transition offense? Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down why the minutes without Rudy Gobert are the most important when it comes to improvement on both ends of the floor. Plus, the real biggest question s...

The Minnesota Timberwolves have released their training camp roster, and there are several players with previous NBA experience who will battle for the chance to fill the Wolves' final roster spots. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down each of the candidates, including their positions, past experience, a brief scouting report, and why the Wolves chose to bring them to camp. Plus, an overall roster...

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch acknowledged that Terrence Shannon Jr. has a rotation spot - and left open the door for a variety of players to earn the ninth (and maybe even tenth!) spots in the rotation. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) pulls out the most intriguing nuggets from Finch's interview, including some interesting thoughts on Rob Dillingham, Jaden McDaniels, and last year's genera...

It's time for another episode of the NBA Squad! Today we are breaking down the Houston Rockets' nightmare Fred VanVleet injury, what we want to see from NBA Media Days, whether or not the Oklahoma City Thunder can take another step up and more!   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nba   Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Dra...

Victor Wembanyama ranked ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards on the ESPN Top 100 Player Rank. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) tries to make sense of something that ... makes very little sense. Plus, other surprises when comparing the ESPN list to the Locked On NBA Top 100 Player List, including where LeBron James and Donovan Mitchell are ranked. Lastly, a look at some training camp r...

Two Minnesota Timberwolves players were included in the ESPN Top 100 Player List in the 11-50 range. What was the difference between that rank and their place on the Locked On NBA Top 100 Player List? Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down where the landed, as well as comparing the Wolves to other top teams in the Western Conference -- which teams have multiple top-15 players? What about top 25? Also...

Where the Locked On NBA Top 100 got it right and the ESPN Player Rank got it wrong, including two Minnesota Timberwolves players who ranked much higher on the Locked On list than they did at ESPN. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down the list so far as Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid are both ranked in the 51 to 100 range. Plus, other player ranks that ESPN missed on and had the biggest discrepancies...

Who will be the best player -- and best American-born player -- in the NBA in the next five years? Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) dissects ESPN's Offseason Survey as it attempts to answer this question, among many others. Who is the best American player now? Thoughts on where Anthony Edwards landed on both lists. Also, what were the best and worst offseason moves, and who wins each Conference and the Fin...

Why do the Minnesota Timberwolves have just the ninth-best odds to win the NBA Finals according to FanDuel? Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) digs into the eight teams ahead of the Wolves and why the odds are far too long. Why do the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Orlando Magic all have shorter odds than the Timberwolves? Also, reasons why the Wolves are a great bet at +2200 to win the champi...

The Minnesota Timberwolves are unlikely to pull off a trade of any significance this year given the makeup of their roster and their salary books. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) goes into detail on why the Wolves are likely to look the same in the spring as they do now, plus why Collin Sexton, Malik Monk, and Duop Reath are NOT sensible trade targets. If the Wolves decide to make a trade, here's why and...

The Minnesota Timberwolves are far too low in ESPN's Future Power Rankings -- and laughably low in the roster and management categories. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) explains which teams belong beneath the Wolves in each category and overall -- Anthony Edwards alone should be enough to push the Wolves much higher than they are. Plus, are the Twin Cities really the worst market in the NBA?!? Lastly, the...

Andrew Dukowitz (@aDukeMN) of Zone Coverage joins Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) to discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves' offseason, including the biggest move (or non-move) of the summer. Plus, the duo discusses end-of-the-rotation questions and ranking the top six teams in the Western Conference as of right now.   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   5-Hour ENERGY Enough with boring, flavorless caffe...

The Minnesota Timberwolves officially re-signed Bones Hyland. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down why the Wolves brought Bones back, and what some of the advantages are over the alternatives. Plus, the Johnny Juzang signing is official. How many roster spots remain open and what's next as the offseason draws to a close?   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   5-Hour ENERGY Enough with boring, f...

What is the biggest hole on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster? It may not be exactly what you think. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down what qualities and skills are lacking and where the Wolves could use some help as they round out their roster for 2025-26. Plus, Malcolm Brogdon is off the board and the Wolves have officially announced the head coach of the Iowa Wolves G League team.   Support U...

The Rudy Gobert trade was a resounding success for the Minnesota Timberwolves, full stop. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) digs into what the Wolves gave up for Gobert, Tim Connelly's motivation for making the deal in the first place, what the traded draft picks have turned into so far, and why it's been a clear win overall. Plus, recapping the Locked On NBA Top 100 Players and what the list can tell us ab...

There are seven teams with two players in the top-25 of the Locked On NBA Top 100, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are not one of them. They're also the only Conference Finalist to not have two in the top-25. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) makes the argument that it speaks to the depth of their roster and the way that Tim Connelly has built the Wolves around Anthony Edwards.   Support Us By Supporting Our...

Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert continues to be disrespected by the NBA media at large; he finished outside the Top 50 on the Locked On NBA Top 100 Players List. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) explains why he should be higher, and lists three players who should be behind Gobert. Plus, diving into potential NBA expansion. What are the chances the Wolves get moved over to the Western Conference? (Y...