Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup: Locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

Potential break-ins for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ starting lineup

Jarrett Culver, Jake Layman, Jarred Vanderbilt

It isn’t a positive thing that we’re in the third category of this article and haven’t mentioned last year’s No. 6 pick.

But Jarrett Culver had a disappointing rookie season, no matter how we slice it. He was the subject of offseason trade rumors, and remains the Wolves’ most attractive trade chip, at least among assets they’re likely willing to move.

That said, Culver still has tons of talent and plenty of upside. Not only that, he’s probably the team’s second-best wing defender, after Okogie. (Hopefully Edwards blossoms into that player, but the Wolves undoubtedly aren’t counting on that to happen early in the season.)

While Culver showed encouraging flashes offensively last year, his shooting profile was awful (40.4 field goal, 29.9 3-point, and 46.2 free throw percentages) and he struggled mightily as a playmaker with just a 10.8 percent assisted rate compared to an 11.5 percent turnover rate.

But again, he was the No. 6 pick last year for a reason and can play rotation-worthy defense. If the jumper improved at all this offseason, he’d have a shot at cracking the lineup if the Wolves want to leave Rubio on the second unit and if Edwards and/or Okogie struggle early on.

Jake Layman has a chance to start as something of a small-ball 4, given his size and well-rounded game. He’s also a nice, low-usage offensive option next to Towns with the ability to hit open 3-pointers and add value as a cutter.

It’s more likely that Layman comes off the bench and plays some 3 and some 4, depending on matchups. But there remains a chance that he ends up getting the starting nod.

Vanderbilt gets the nod as the other potential surprise starter over veteran Ed Davis.

The third-year big man stands 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and brings a pair of abilities that the Wolves haven’t had enough of next to Towns in recent season: rebounding and defense. Not only that, Vanderbilt is extremely athletic, which is a quality the Wolves haven’t tried enough in potential pairings with Towns over the years.

Vanderbilt has only appeared in 28 games over two seasons as a pro, but his play at the G League level, plus his prospect profile coming out of an injury-marred college career suggests that he could be a true diamond in the rough.

Sure, even if the Wolves decide that they want defensive ability and rebounding alongside Towns they’re probably more likely to start Davis and allow Vanderbilt to come off the bench with a bit less pressure. But in that scenario, the 31-year-old veteran would be more of a nominal starter, anyway.

While Vanderbilt won’t be starting on opening night, it would be far from a shock to earn significant playing time before the end of the season.

There you have it; only 60 percent of the Wolves’ starting lineup seems to truly be set in stone. Even if you buy that Hernangomez is the fourth starter, who do you have as the fifth man? Edwards? Okogie? Rubio?