Are the Timberwolves going to be playoff bound after their off-season roster changes?

Michael Beasley vs. Chase Budinger

The Timberwolves roster received quite a bit of changes during the off-season - and we still have quite a ways to go until the regular season starts back up again! With all of these changes, do you think that the Wolves will have a better shot at making it to the playoffs in the 2012-13 season? Personally, I think they do. And here's where the trades/changes stack up.

1. Andrei Kirilenko replacing Wesley Johnson: Johnson was, simply put, not a good fit for this team. He just doesn't have the skill set to be competitive at a professional level. Based on the numbers and level of play that Kirilenko has put up over the past year, he definitely will be an improvement over this - even if he doesn't play up to the level he played in Utah last season. Basically, he doesn't have very big shoes to fill so he shouldn't have a problem improving Johnson's place on the Wolves roster.

2.  Brandon Roy is coming out of retirement to replace Martell Webster. Even in a good season, Webster struggled to put double digit numbers in scoring. In his last year in the NBA - a season that was plagued with injuries - Roy still averaged 12 points per game. Even if he simply plays at his "hurt player" level, he'll be an improvement.

3. Chase Budinger is coming into the team to replace Michael Beasley. I have to say that while their numbers are somewhat the same, their reputations are what set them apart. Beasley was a consistent controversial figure for the Wolves: between impregnating multiple women at the same time and posting photos with weed in the background - combined with his lackluster performance last season - this guy didn't draw a crowd or a positive image for the Wolves at all. It was time for him to go.

What do you think of the prospects of the Wolves making it to the playoffs this season?

Summer in Minnesota with no Timberwolves rumors.

It's an odd week when there's literally nothing to report in the world of the Minnesota Timberwolves these days. No trades, no prospective roster changes, no offers on the table, not even something coming out of the rumor mill! With such a quiet week, you would think that I wouldn't be blogging. Well, you're halfway right - since there's nothing new to report I've definitely been keeping busy. So today I'm blogging about the best ways to take advantage of the summertime weather when there's nothing going on in the land of the Wolves!

1. Head out on a boat: it's summertime in Minnesota. So BE a Minnesotan and get out on a boat! But you do have to pronounce that ooot on a booooat.

2. Go for a walk around Lake Calhoun: there aren't a ton of months that you can actually enjoy the lakes in Uptown. So do it while you can!

3. Head up north for a few days: take some time out of the office to get away for a few days. Since you're within driving distance, it can be just for a couple of days!

Tell me: how are YOU enjoying these summertime days?