What do the Minnesota Timberwolves need in order to be a contender?

Bigs

Finding the right player inside alongside Karl-Anthony Towns has been a problem for the Timberwolves. Taj Gibson didn’t have enough offensively. Dario Saric didn’t bring enough rim protection.

The Wolves need for finding a frontcourt mate with Towns is simple: they require a player that can protect the rim while also having at least some sort of offensive identity. So far, there’s only been a single game where the Timberwolves have had their entire new roster, and it was a loss at Toronto.

Juan Hernangomez may be the long term fit next to Towns, though (again, we have yet to see the duo perform for more than a single game at a time). Hernangomez’s rim protection numbers from the past are not promising, though. He is probably best suited to be a long-term stretch four coming off of the bench, sort of in an Ersan Ilyasova-type role.

James Johnson might be the short-term solution, as he is due a $15 million player option, should he choose to accept it. Johnson has improved his consistency as a shooter over the course of his career, but should not be relied upon to make 2-3 every game. He has the ability to stretch the floor, just not by volume.

Johnson also brings some rim protection, though he is not quite the best at it. Ideally, a player that would perfectly compliment Towns is one that it truly elite at interior defense but has the shooting to supplement that — an example (despite him not being much of an option) would be Jaren Jackson. Stretch-5 with elite upside inside the paint.

One potential player that will be available through the draft is Southern California forward/big Onyeka Okongwu, who is widely considered a top-5 selection. Okongwu is arguably the best interior defender in this year’s class. He has elite ability inside as well as the mobility to have a role on offense.

Though the shooting has yet to come around for Okongwu, although there is enough evidence to bank on that trait developing over time.

Another option through free agency, though seemingly unlikely, is Serge Ibaka, who would probably need to be acquired through a sign-and-trade.

Ibaka has improved his outside shot over the course of his career and would fit well next to Towns offensively. Defensively, while he no longer averages four blocks per game, he still is an above-average rim protector and an overall plus that fits with Towns on both ends of the court.

Other options: JaMychal Green, John Henson