Minnesota Timberwolves: Predicting the 2021-22 starters

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 18: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Houston Rockets. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

Power Forward: Kelly Olynyk

The Timberwolves hit on their first-round picks in 2020, which included forward Jaden McDaniels. Despite him starting for Minnesota over the course of the late season in 2020-21, Kelly Olynyk would be a veteran option that the Timberwolves could target this offseason.

Olynyk, currently on the Rockets, could be someone that Minnesota looks to acquire via a sign-and-trade. In this scenario, the Timberwolves deal Jarrett Culver, Juan Hernangomez, and two second-round picks to Houston in order for them to sign Olynyk and subsequently trade him to Minnesota.

*For this deal to work, Olynyk would negotiate a contract with Timberwolves executives, and the Rockets (or, perhaps, a different team with cap space) would have to agree to the return compensation [the Timberwolves would have to adhere to the 125% rule since they do not have open salary cap space]). They match salaries and give picks so the other team agrees to the deal.

Kelly Olynyk would be a great fit next to Towns, and a 3 year, $40 million contract (with a team option in the final year) would not be too steep of a monetary price, particularly for a Wolves team that does not have many GOOD rotational players.

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