When I first booted up NBA 2K19 and jumped into MyTeam mode with the Timberwolves, I immediately noticed something had changed from previous editions. This roster feels different—more balanced yet somehow more explosive. Let me walk you through how I approach building around this squad, because honestly, I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit tweaking lineups and testing strategies. You start by recognizing who your engine is, and for Minnesota, that’s clearly Karl-Anthony Towns. His rating sits at a solid 91 overall, which honestly feels a bit low given his two-way impact, but it’s still elite. I always slot him at center and make sure he’s involved in pick-and-pop situations early; his three-point shooting at 42% in-game is deadly for a big man, and it forces defenses to stretch thin.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Jimmy Butler, rated 89 overall, is your go-to wing defender and secondary scorer. I like to use him in isolation plays on the wing, especially against weaker defenders, because his mid-range game is money. But the key, as former coach Lodi once put it, is that “You might have a dominant player who scores 35 points in a game, and you feed the beast.” For me, that beast is often Andrew Wiggins, who’s rated 82 overall. I know, some fans argue he’s inconsistent, but when he gets hot, he’s unstoppable. I focus on getting him easy buckets in transition—his speed and dunking animations are insane—and once he drops 10-12 points quickly, I keep feeding him. That’s how you unlock his potential; ignore the critics and let him cook.
Moving to the backcourt, Jeff Teague at 79 overall is your floor general. I use him to push the pace and set up others, but I don’t rely on him for scoring unless it’s a blowout. Instead, I pair him with Derrick Rose off the bench, who’s surprisingly effective at 76 overall. Rose’s agility and driving ability can catch opponents off guard, and I’ve had games where he drops 20 points in limited minutes. One thing I always remind myself: don’t sleep on the role players. Taj Gibson, rated 77, is a beast on the boards, and I make sure to sub him in early to maintain defensive intensity. His post moves are underrated, too—I’ve scored double-doubles with him regularly by using simple drop-step moves in the paint.
When it comes to substitutions, I’ve learned the hard way that balance is everything. I start with Towns, Butler, Wiggins, Teague, and Gibson, but by the six-minute mark in the first quarter, I’m already rotating in Gorgui Dieng (75 overall) and Josh Okogie (72 overall). Okogie’s energy on defense is a game-changer; I use him to harass opposing guards and force turnovers. On offense, I stick to ball movement and avoid iso-heavy sets unless Butler or Wiggins have a mismatch. That’s a common mistake I see online—people force-feed stars and burn out their stamina. Instead, I mix in pick-and-rolls with Teague and Towns, which usually nets me easy buckets or open threes.
In terms of overall strategy, I lean into the Timberwolves’ athleticism. This team isn’t built for slow, half-court grinds; they excel in uptempo games where you can exploit fast breaks. I set my defensive settings to “aggressive” and focus on forcing turnovers, which leads to highlight-reel dunks from Wiggins or Butler. And let’s talk about ratings for a second—while some might quibble over exact numbers, like Tyus Jones being a 73 instead of a 75, I find that it’s more about how you use them. Jones, for example, is my secret weapon for closing tight games because his ball-handling and passing reduce turnovers under pressure.
Wrapping up this guide to the NBA 2K19 Timberwolves roster and player ratings, I’d say the biggest takeaway is to play to your strengths. Don’t get bogged down by meta-strategies or online tier lists; instead, experiment and find what works for you. Personally, I love unleashing Wiggins in the third quarter when defenses are tired, and I always keep Lodi’s advice in mind—feed the hot hand, even if it’s not your highest-rated player. Whether you’re a casual player or aiming for the top ranks, this roster has the tools to compete, as long as you manage rotations wisely and embrace that fast-paced style. Happy gaming, and may your Timberwolves dominate the virtual court
