Austin Rivers Admits Anthony Edwards' Supporting Cast Needs Big Improvements

Success in the modern NBA requires depth and high-level athleticism. In the current Timberwolves squad, Edwards and Jaden McDaniels are high-level athletes, but the roster is slower than most teams.

They are still quite talented, but they do not have the intangibles teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers have during their runs to the NBA Finals this season.

Rivers Knows The Timberwolves Need To Support Edwards

As a modern basketball mind, Rivers knows what it takes for teams to succeed. With what he has seen with the Timberwolves, he knows they will be a better team if they make improvements with their roster.

A big part of their success should involve a high-level playmaker alongside Edwards in the backcourt. Mike Conley Jr. is a fantastic player, but he is 37. He is not getting any younger, so the Timberwolves must make some big changes to the roster.

They could promote Rob Dillingham to be the starting point guard, but that might be too fast, considering he had sporadic minutes during his rookie season.

"You've gone to the Conference Finals two years in a row. Clearly, you have some good intel and a good team. You're just a piece or two away," Rivers said on his Off Guard show. "There needs to be another dominant ball-handler... At this point, they need to get a guard who can take the ball out of Ant's hands, and say 'Slow down,' and have that respect to create and dribble other than him. He needs one other guy."

The Path For Improvement Is Clear For Minnesota

The Timberwolves can make massive improvements to the team if they play their cards right. Of course, they must retain their important players like Naz Reid and Julius Randle, but there is room for upgrades for the point guard position.

Easing Dillingham into a prominent role is a good option, but looking for a high-level point guard can also be good. Dangling the chance to play alongside Anthony Edwards is a good way to convince more players because he has a good reputation as a teammate across the league.

Making it into the Western Conference Finals in two consecutive years should elevate the Timberwolves' standards. They do not want to settle for second place in the West. The Timberwolves do not want to beat the Thunder, and that can be done by giving Edwards the secondary playmaker. 

It is unclear who that player will be, but that is team president Tim Connelly's job. If he can find the right answer, the Timberwolves are in good shape to compete for a championship.