Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 free agency target from each Western Conference playoff team

By Dylan Jackson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers attempts to block a pass by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers attempts to block a pass by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 06: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers. Possible Minnesota Timberwolves target. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 06: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers. Possible Minnesota Timberwolves target. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves free agency targets: Wesley Matthews

The Los Angeles Lakers could not find a way to win basketball games with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis missing significant time late in the season. As the seven seed, they lost their first game to the Phoenix Suns – who look every part of a top-2 seed in a loaded conference.

Matthews, now age 34, could be a complementary low-usage wing option for the Timberwolves. A veteran presence, Matthews appearing in nearly 60 games for Los Angeles this past season, making almost 20 minutes per appearance. While he has regressed slightly since playing in Milwaukee a season ago, Matthews is pretty much exclusively a 3-and-D player now.

For the Timberwolves, Matthews would be a solid veteran presence – and that should not be taken lightly for one of the youngest teams in the NBA. The addition of Ed Davis may not have looked good from a statistical standpoint, but Davis was tremendous in the locker room, and Matthews could possibly fill a similar role – being on a contender two seasons in a row.

The Timberwolves’ current positional breakdown means they might not look to add a wing through free agency – but if general manager ends up making a move to acquire a different position – leading to a lack of 2-3 depth, Matthews very well could be a solid option. There is, however, a nonzero chance he ends up retiring following this season, especially if he ends up winning a championship in Los Angeles.