Minnesota Timberwolves: Top priority at each position this offseason

Center

Sign Aron Baynes in free agency

The Timberwolves have their franchise player at center in Towns. Now, they need to find his backup.

While Naz Reid has shown flashes of being a solid NBA player, he still needs to grow as a player, especially defensively. If the Timberwolves want to be a playoff contender next season they will need to look to improve their backup center spot.

With KAT on a max contract, they need to look for an inexpensive veteran that can give valuable minutes each night. Enter Aron Baynes.

Baynes is a seven-year pro who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is a player that thrives in his role and is willing to do the dirty work. The current Sun is averaging career highs of 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game during the 2019-20 season while shooting 35.1 percent on 3-point attempts.

At age 33, Baynes’ career highs are impressive, but it’s the 3-point shooting and defensive intensity that should catch the eye of the Wolves front office. Just three seasons ago, Baynes was attempting only 0.3 3-pointers a game. That is now up to four attempts per game, and that number has the potential to be higher on this Wolves squad.

Defense is still Baynes calling card, however, and the front office should consider it a priority this offseason to obtain a defensive-minded center like Baynes to come off the bench.

The Timberwolves have the opportunity to be a playoff team in 2020-21 with D’Angelo Russell now in the fold. However, in order for that to happen they need to make the right decisions this offseason.

Rosas and Co. need to look at all possibilities to improve the team around the franchise cornerstones of KAT and D-Lo.