This is the 15th in a 15-part series evaluating each Timberwolves player's performance during the 2014-15 season. Find the entire series here.
Two years ago, before 16-66, before Kevin Love's opt-out plans became official, before he appointed himself head coach, and before he swung a deal that could forever change the complexion of Timberwolves basketball, Flip Saunders sat down with owner Glen Taylor for a preliminary meeting.
There was much to discuss. The man who'd fired Saunders in 2005 had rehired him to put out the brushfire David Kahn had left behind. There was a draft to tackle and what would be a busy free-agency period to navigate.
But the only coach to lead the Wolves to the postseason had one thing on his mind. "I met with Glen and said the No. 1 thing we had to do to build a franchise and develop that culture was to get a game-changing type player," Saunders said. "A player that was a two-way type player that could play offense, could play defense.
"Last year, Aug. 23, when we traded for Andrew Wiggins, we got that type of player. And we were ready and set to go."
It was a move vindicated by Wiggins' transcendent rookie of the year campaign. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound, 20-year-old Kansas product from Canada exceeded the lofty expectations attached to his name since the LeBron James comparisons began rolling off pundits' tongues before Wiggins even reached high school.
Minnesota won 16 games this past season. But the centerpiece player that's eluded this club since Kevin Garnett was traded away may well be in place.
"When we made the trade last summer, we talked about him being the cornerstone of the organization," general manager Milt Newton said. "I think, based on his play this year and the reception of (the rookie of the year) award, it gives us a foretaste of that's something that will come to fruition."
Scoring: A
With potential stars like Wiggins, quantity and quality can coexist.
Wiggins' 16.9 points per game led all rookies. The final two months of the season, he ranked 16th in the entire league with 20 points per game. He shot 43.7 percent from the floor, second among rookies, and 31 percent from 3-point range. He scored 20 or more points 27 times, 30 or more on four occasions.
His range needs work. So does his pull-up jumper. But his ability to finish exudes polish beyond his years, which is where the aesthetics come in.
Dunks over Rudy Gobert and Omer Asik. Alley-oops in transition from Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine. A penchant for getting to the free-throw line, where he shot 76 percent.
"My first instinct is to get to the basket, get to the rim," Wiggins said. "If you back off, I'll shoot it. But if I see a lane, I'm going for it, no matter who I see there. It doesn't matter."
The next step involves becoming better-rounded. But thus far, Wiggins has the makings of the game-changer Minnesota's long coveted.
Rebounding: B
As he adds muscle and grows into his muscular frame, Wiggins' rebounding acumen should expand. As it stands, he held his own on the glass his rookie year, averaging 4.6 boards per game -- fifth among NBA rookies.
Wiggins plays predominantly on the wing and is often preoccupied guarding the opposition's top scorer, which pulls Wiggins away from prime rebounding areas. Still, he had just two double-doubles all season -- a number that must increase if Wiggins is to have maximum effect in games that matter moving forward.
Defense: A-
Wiggins' length, awareness and athleticism on defense set him apart from other NBA prospects of his generation. During his one season of college, opponents shot less than 33 percent against him.
That number jumped to 47.2 during his first year as a pro. But that's partly because he had James, James Harden and other perennial All-Stars to worry about.
There were times Wiggins looked at home guarding them. He finished the year fourth among rookies in steals (1.0 per game) and sixth in blocks (0.6), but his real value lies in his upside. Defense in today's NBA isn't about shutting down adversaries; it's about limiting them and coming up with timely stops. Wiggins frequently took care of the first and hasn't had many opportunities at the second.
Not yet, anyway.
Overall: A
Drafted No. 1 overall by Cleveland last June and dealt in August, Wiggins said right away he thought Minnesota would be a better situation for his talents. Here, he could be "the" guy, rather than grow gradually behind James.
His accomplishments validated those remarks made during an introductory press conference at the Minnesota State Fair. Last month, he was on another stage, this one in the Target Center, holding up the rookie of the year trophy and donating a Kia crossover to charity. He won Western Conference rookie of the month four times in a row and was the Rising Stars Challenge MVP.
He's also durable as heck. During a year when teammates fell to injury left and right, Wiggins played all 82 games and, after Dec. 1, averaged a league-high 37.9 minutes per game.
After some much-needed rest, he'll work on his 3-point shot, pull-up jumper and, most of all, adding strength this offseason. He'll split time between Minnesota and Canada, where he'll join his countrymen for Olympic qualifying play. And he'll likely come back with another top-tier prospect, depending how the Wolves fare in this week's lottery and next month's draft.
Rookie of the year was Wiggins' "ultimate goal." Now, he says, it's playing in the actual All-Star game while helping Minnesota snap an 11-year playoff drought.
"I know that I have a long way to go," Wiggins said. "I'm only 20 years old. . . . I just have to get better and become a better leader on the court, off the court. And try to hope for better things."
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