Did the Minnesota Timberwolves boost or drop their grade point average this quarter? The results are juicy.
It just another wild quarter of a wild season for Minnesota Timberwolves. They had previously earned themselves a 2.43 grade point average after the previous two report cards. Let’s see what the 48 voters submitted in…
Canis Pulsus Vol. 40 – Quarterly Report 3 (‘24-’25)
(Note: Canis Pulsus Vol. 40 data was collected through 3/4 before the game against the 76ers)
Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards
B+ (39.6%)
Previous grade: B+ (31%)
Ant has tried to get in a rhythm during this teeter-totter of a season. It went from his insanely hot first half of the season from perimeter, to now trending towards his career-best at drawing fouls. However, his issues with the officials has taken center stage. One of the most important next steps in his growth will being able the lead the team on an emotional level. Until then, voters will continue grading him in the B+ range.
Full voting results:
Rudy Gobert
C (29.2%)
Previous grade: C+ (27.6%)
Rudy only played two-thirds of the games for the third quarter of the season. His most recent back injury has given the Wolves an unexpected look at how life may look like without him. The wins and losses have been mixed, but the aesthetic of a young, energetic, and switchable scheme has looked good. Until that becomes the full-time reality, Minnesota will need the reigning Defensive Player of the Year back in order to make a postseason push.
Full voting results:
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Julius Randle
B- (23.4%)
Previous grade: C+ / C- (24.1%)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some will say they dislike the herky-jerky, bowling-ball inspired style of Randle’s offense. Some will say they enjoy his bruising offensive style that also generates looks for his teammates. Regardless, it was clear that the Wolves missed him, going 5-8 while he was sidelined with his groin injury then ensuing family matter. Prior to that, they were on a five-game winning streak with him moving the ball with more pace. He picked up right where he went off and was a big part of Minnesota’s big victory over Phoenix.
Full voting results:
Jaden McDaniels
B (33.3%)
Previous grade: C (27.6%)
Jaden jumped a whole letter grade up from the last report card. Though he’s sitting at a modest B grade, another 48% of voters gave him a grade higher than a B. He’s grabbed 8.0 boards per game in the last 20 while upping his scoring average up to 16.4 on 49.6% shooting. If McDaniels continue his upward ascension, Minnesota may make a deeper run than fans expect.
Full voting results:
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Naz Reid
B+ (38.3%)
Previous grade: B (37.9)
Naz Reid continues to show that he can morph into an role that the Wolves ask of him. Lose Julius? Slot in as the starting power forward. Lose Rudy? Slot in as the starting center. Put up some wild stat lines in the process. That’s why Naz earned another 34% of votes in the A range.
Full voting results:
Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images
Donte DiVincenzo
B+ (40.4%)
Previous grade: B+ (37.9%)
DDV returned like he never left, leading the team in +/- in his first three games back in just limited minutes. He’s also continued to show why Tim Connelly was so keen on acquiring him in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal. The do-it-all sniper will soon return to the starting lineup as his contributions have made him the second or third most important player on the team. Donte also earned 23% of his votes in the A range.
Full voting results:
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
A- (27.1%)
Previous grade: A (27.6%)
Nickeil is steady as can be, also seeing his minutes and usage increase in the recent injury-riddled stretch. NAW has made it abundantly clear that even though the acquisition of DiVincenzo and discovery of Jaylen Clark is a bit redundant with his role on the team, he’s still an invaluable member of the roster. NAW was the only person in this edition of Canis Pulsus to score more than 50% of their grade in the A range. Impressive.
Full voting results:
Mike Conley
C- (33.3%)
Previous grade: B / B- / C- (20.7)
One of the saddest storylines this season so far is the fading performance of Mike Conley. Minnesota Mike has been unable to string together solid games for the Wolves, and relies on occasional offensive outbursts a few minutes at a time. He’s been constantly hunted by the opposing team’s offense and it’s hard to ignore.
Full voting results:
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Jaylen Clark
B (25.0%)
Previous grade: N/A
The “Crime Stopper” himself has burst onto the scene like he was always a NBA player. The 23-year-old rookie has quickly found himself on the opponent’s scouting report as a guy they do not want guarded by their best player. He’s given players from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to Devin Booker fits in isolation. Dude is all the best parts of Josh Okogie reincarnated.
Full voting results:
Rob Dillingham
B- (22.9%)
Previous grade: Incomplete (82.8%)
When it’s all said and done, young Rob’s performances this season is on par with what you would expect from a very young and very small rookie point guard. He’s had some flashes where you see it all come together, but they remain as just flashes for now. He’s had some more opportunities this quarter of the season with all the injuries, but unfortunately he still gets a quick hook from Coach Finch and usually for good reason. His potential remains tantalizing.
Full voting results:
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Terrence Shannon Jr.
B (27.1%)
Previous grade: N/A
Just like his Jaylen Clark, TJ loudly announced his presence in the league, but on the offensive end of the floor. Though he’s not a sieve on defense, it’s his relentless energy and determination driving to the rim that has made the world take notice. He’s far from a consistently positive contributor, but more often than not, he’s injecting energy onto the court with wildly spectacular finishes inside. He’s started to earn Finch’s trust.
Full voting results:
Josh Minott
D+ (16.7%)
Previous grade: C (27.6%)
Unlike the three players above, Josh has fallen squarely in Finch’s dog house. He’s seen his opportunity disappear right in front of him, much like Jaylen Nowell did a few seasons ago. It’s clear when Minott is on the court, he’s now overthinking things. Every jump shot feels pressurized. Every defensive moment seems like a landmine of mistakes he has to tiptoe around. It’s taken a toll on the 22-year-old forward, but hopefully he can bounce back. When that is, I don’t know.
Full voting results:
Joe Ingles
Incomplete (32.6%)
Previous grade: N/A
Good ol’ Jinglin’ Joe got almost a quarter of votes for a passing C grade. Just as much as you can ask for, he’s had a few games this quarter where he was tasked with playing as the primary ball handler. It’s come with mixed results, but every now and then, he’s still got his fast ball. Well, maybe not fast, but still has a great feel for the game and capable of getting guys like Rudy going.
Full voting results:
Luka Garza
C (27.1%)
Previous grade: N/A
Luka Garza finally got his chance to play meaningful minutes for a number of games with Minnesota’s frontcourt banged up. Unfortunately, he’s been far from consistent, but what else can you expect from a 10th or 11th man on the team? There’s been some very profitable segments with him, but more often than not, you’re reminded that he seems incapable of playing defense in the NBA.
Full voting results:
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Coaching staff
C (22.9%)
Previous grade: C- (27.6%)
Finch and friend remain in the C range, though they did earn significantly more votes in the B range this quarter. He’s had a tough hand dealt to him amid a rather tough quarter of the schedule and a handful of significant injuries to boot. Finch certainly got the young guys in the right mindset to come out and compete at moment’s notice, so credit to him. Now he has another tough task ahead of him — Earning victories while reintegrating the original starters.
Full voting results:
Front office
B (28.3%)
Previous grade: C+ / C- (24.1%)
Tim Connelly got a bit busier in the last couple months. He opted to stay out of the market for this trade deadline after being active in the prior two. Instead, he decided to roll with his crew while awarding Jaylen Clark with a standard NBA contract. Connelly also went and rescued his old friend, Bones Hyland, to let him stay nearby with the Iowa Wolves. Again, the majority of his work will take place once the offseason begins.
Full voting results:
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Ownership
F (20.0%)
Previous grade: F (63%)
Clear the runway for Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez! In the image above, hopefully ARod is learning from Mat Ishbia about how not to run a young promising team into the ground for the sake of “making a splash.” 42.2% of our voters gave our new overlords a C- or higher, which is a big jump from the 7.4% from last the last edition. Improvement!
Full voting results:
Will the Wolves make the play-in tournament?
Yes (52.1%)
Previous answer: Yes (72.4%)
In last edition of Canis Pulsus, 17.2% of you voted that the Wolves would finish as a top six seed in the West. Now? 43.8% felt we will finish in the top six. Is that optimism I’ve seeing?
Full voting results:
Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Will the Wolves make the playoffs?
Yes (93.8%)
Previous answer: Yes (75.9%)
Can the Timberwolves extend their playoff streak to four seasons in a row? Survey says: Yes!
Full voting results:
What do you hope the Timberwolves accomplish during the next quarter of the season the most?
Finish as a top six seed (16.7%)
Semester 1: Make a trade / Trade Julius Randle (25.7%)
There was a lot of answers here, but the majority had to do with finishing as a top six team in the Western Conference to avoid the play-in tournament. Fair. There were also plenty of answers bemoaning Finch to get the rookies more involved, and fixing the poor starts/finishes. However, my favorite was probably, “Further unlock Jaden McPippen’s offense.” I too would like a McPippen Happy Meal.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
With 3/4 of the regular season over, my feelings on the direction of the Timberwolves are…
Slightly optimistic (40.4%)
Semester 1: Slightly pessimistic (62.1%)
The “Slightly pessimistic” crowd essentially turned into “Slightly optimistic” and “Neutral” after this last quarter. It may very well have to do with the emergence of the youngsters, acting as a beam of hope for the future. This could also be due to some recency bias due to the successful returns of DiVincenzo and Randle. Either way, the rocky season continues!
Full voting results:
After earning a 2.43 GPA in both quarter one and semester one, your Minnesota Timberwolves finished quarter three with a *drum roll* 2.50! A 0.07 bump is nothing to sneeze out, as that’s technically progress. Lasagna Pizza party it is!