Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Timberwolves: 4 potential free agent targets with ties to Coach Finch

By Bret Stuter

May 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves Free agent targets James Harden
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agent II: SG James Harden

There is no shortage of NBA rumors buzzing about the future destination of Philadelphia 76ers veteran combo guard James Harden. To be fair, the Minnesota Timberwolves are not among the teams that have been linked to the phenomenal guard who simply scores at will. But perhaps they should be?

While Harden does not hit the obvious profile of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ goal to build around SG Anthony Edwards, keep in mind that James Harden did play for Coach Chris Finch and the Houston Rockets from 2012-16, and during that time together, Harden did move from shooting guard to point guard and played at an elite level. And Harden himself pledges to only show interest in NBA teams with a competitive roster. Bingo! That’s the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Why the Timberwolves wouldn’t pursue him: The cost to sign James Harden would force the Timberwolves to shed one of their two bigs. For all intents and purposes, that would likely be the more marketable center/power forward Karl-Anthony Towns, who may have run his course with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But, will the team part ways with him at the lowest point of his trade market value to add a veteran who has already played 14 seasons in the NBA? Probably not.

Why the Timberwolves would pursue him: If the Minnesota Timberwolves are adopting a roster build that is designed to get the most out of Anthony Edwards, then a veteran like James Harden is a timely addition to mentor Edwards to step up to the next level. Even as Harden’s offensive production is waning, he was a perennial juggernaut, a guy who clobbered opponents from anywhere on the floor when the basketball was in his hands.

No, he is not ‘that guy,’ any longer, but he could be the one to pass that basketball mojo to Anthony Edwards, who could be the next elite NBA shooting guard. Best of all, he played point guard for Coach Finch in the past and would be able to flip to point guard for Coach Finch once more.