Timberwolves: 4 potential free agent targets with ties to Coach Finch
By Bret Stuter
Free Agent I: PG Fred Van Vleet
There are plenty of reasons for the Minnesota Timberwolves to have an interest in Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet. For one thing, the team would be able to turn back the hands of time at their all-too-important point guard position.
But another reason is that this team would be able to pair up an outstanding point guard with plenty of NBA Playoff experience with rising star shooting guard Anthony Edwards. After all, he is 29 years old, with seven years of NBA experience. That is the sweet spot for NBA Players to come into their own. And the Timberwolves would love to add a young accomplished point guard to pair up with Anthony Edwards for the foreseeable future,
Why the Timberwolves wouldn’t pursue him: How many NBA superstars can the Minnesota Timberwolves realistically add to this roster? Right now, the Timberwolves roster boasts elite contracts at the center and power forward starting position and is lining up to make both their small forward and shooting guard starters very rich as well.
The only modestly rich starter on the Timberwolves team projected heading into the 2023-24 NBA season is the point guard position. Just how much of an upgrade is VanVleet over Mike Conley Jr.? That is a debate that the Timberwolves front office has yet to have, and may end up with two thumbs down for this one.
Why the Timberwolves would pursue him: The key to the Timberwolves’ future right now is to build this roster around young star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, and the addition of a relatively young and solid point guard to the roster for the 2023-24 NBA season brings with it a ton of potential for advancing deep into the NBA Playoffs.
While VanVleet has never resembled an NBA player to me, there is no denying that he is incredibly effective as a starting point guard. And his salary is comparable to the salary cap hit of veteran Mike Conley Jr.
light. Hot. Is the clock ticking on Timberwolves HC Chris Finch?
The Minnesota Timberwolves would be an ideal landing spot for Fred VanVleet, and that is what makes this option so very appealing. The Timberwolves would love to give VanVleet a long-term home, and VanVleet would relish the chance to pilot this Timberwolves roster into the NBA Playoffs year after year.