A lockdown Defenseman, Alexandre Carrier began his career with Nashville, where his blocking and clearing ability were assets to the Predators.
A physical player can be used when needed, and Carrier could be used on offense, especially on power play. Carrier has twice scored 20 Points, was an All-Rookie player in 2021-22, and had 69 Points and a +25 Plus/Minus before he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens during the 2024/25 Season.
Kyle Anderson signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a nine-year veteran. While his stay in the Gopher State was only two seasons, it was marked with versatility, depth, and leadership.
Anderson’s defensive skills and offensive vision made up for a lack of size and pure talent, but he was undoubtedly an asset to Minnesota in his two seasons there. Anderson averaged
In the summer of 2024, Anderson was traded to the Golden State Warriors as part of a six-team trade.
In the broader scope, Mike Conley is one of the most underrated basketball players in the world, but on the inside, Conley has been a coveted player due to his selfless and team-first attitude. During his 15th season, Conley was traded from the Utah Jazz to Minnesota and finished the year continuing to average over 10 Points per Game, earning his fourth Sportsmanship Award.
Two years asi, Conley continued his steak of consistency (11.4 PPG), helped Minnesota reach the Western Conference Finals, and won his second Teammate of the Year Award.
In his late 30s, Conley begins his 2025-26 campaign as a veteran player hoping to play a role on an NBA Championship Team.
The Timberwolves drafted Jaden McDaniels with the 28th Overall Pick in 2020, and the Washington Husky proved Minnesota right with their selection.
McDaniels saw significant playing time as a rookie, and as he enters his fifth year, his defensive versatility to shut down forwards regardless of size and skill. As each season progressed, McDaniels kept improving, and though he is a streaky scorer, he has shown annual progression in his PPG metrics. He has also shown strong defensive presence, as displayed by his Second Team All-Defensive Selection in 2024.
A rising star on the 2024 and 2025 teams that made the Western Conference Finals, McDaniels is a key player for Minnesota’s future success.