When it comes to available free-agent power forwards this late in the offseason, the options are slim. After Jonathan Kuminga, there's a steep drop-off. Some names could maybe fill in for spot minutes, but no contending team should expect anyone to start.
Obviously, the Wolves want Kuminga, and based on the remaining free-agent suitors, they should be heavily in the mix. But in the event Kuminga ultimately chooses elsewhere, the Wolves need backup plans. Even if they aren't an everyday rotational player, more big bodies on the roster definitely couldn't hurt.
Georges Niang
Last season, Niang was on the Utah Jazz and was then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. However, he never suited up for a game last year due to recovering from foot surgery. Thankfully, during the years prior, he was a rotational forward for numerous playoff teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Atlanta Hawks.
He fits Tim Connelly's "do more with less" theory that he talked about during a live show with Wolves beat writer Jon Krawczynski. This means that for the complementary players surrounding Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, he's looking for guys who don't need to be featured/have excessive touches to be effective.
Niang fits that. He's been a solid catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter for his entire career. In fact, since he debuted in the 2016-2017 season, his career 3pt% sits at 39.9. Impressive stuff. Despite his fairly unathletic frame, he uses his basketball IQ to at the very least not be a negative on defense.
He's a veteran minimum candidate due to coming back from injury, but he's not far removed from signing a three-year, $25.5 million deal in 2023. This could be great value for the Wolves at the end of free agency.
Kevin Love
Who doesn't love a homecoming story? Despite a lack of winning during his time in Minnesota (not his fault), Love is one of the Timberwolves' best players in franchise history and was the only hope this franchise had post-Kevin Garnett and pre-Karl-Anthony Towns.
During his best season with the Wolves in the 2011-2012 season, Love averaged 26 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. While he's quite far removed from that, he can still provide solid spacing and basketball IQ at the four.
This past season with the Jazz, he was in and out of the rotation, but in 16.6 minutes per game, he averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while still being able to knock down 37.3% of his triples. The rebounding numbers surprised me; I didn't realize he was still that effective of a rebounder. He would certainly help the Wolves out on the defensive glass.
Love is, again, more of a feel-good story than an actual rotational piece, but he proved that he can be effective in spurts last season. That's really all the Wolves can hope for from a free agent at this point, and the Minnesota ties are a bonus.
Out of all of the options, I would obviously prefer Kuminga from a pure talent and age standpoint. Still, it's hard to be picky this time of year, and I believe that any of these guys could make a positive impact on the Wolves.
Add us as a preferred source on Google