The LeBron James pursuit is over. Now, it’s time to focus on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ current roster. With Tim Connelly, a trade is always possible, but any free agents signed from this point forward are unlikely to have much of an impact next season.
There is still an unanswered question regarding the starting lineup: Who will be the team’s starting power forward? In an article posted Friday by Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, he brought up an interesting quote from Chris Finch regarding that position.
“I see the opportunity to be creative with that, maybe, every night,” Finch said. “Maybe it’s a different person starting at the four based on who we’re playing. Why not?”
Who could be the different options Finch uses?
Different opponents could call for different starters
There are teams in the Western Conference that have a lot of size in their projected starting frontcourts. The Utah Jazz (Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler), Houston Rockets (Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun), and Oklahoma City Thunder (Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein) are three that come to mind.
Perhaps, to help ensure they don’t get walloped on the glass, the Timberwolves could go with Trey Lyles. He is probably the most traditional power forward on the roster.
Smaller frontcourts could call for different options. Perhaps Terrence Shannon Jr. gets the nod if Minnesota were to face a frontcourt player whom the team could hide him on defensively. The New Orleans Pelicans are one example, as they have utilized Herbert Jones as their undersized starting center at times. Zion Williamson is a load, but Rudy Gobert would be his assignment.
If the Timberwolves face a team that doesn’t have a supersized frontcourt but against which they might want more defense, Josh Green could be the answer that night. Green will be a low-usage player on offense, but his long wingspan can at least present a problem for players who may have a few inches on him.
There is also Joan Beringer. In his one summer league appearance, Beringer did start at power forward. It just doesn’t seem like that duo would be ideal for providing offensive spacing on a team featuring a lot of players who can drive to the hole. It’s possible the two could start together, but it’s also very unlikely.
When it comes to unsigned free agents who could potentially be added and start at power forward, there isn’t much out there. While names such as Georges Niang, Trendon Watford, and Kelly Olynyk would be nice depth pieces who could be signed for the veteran’s minimum, they probably aren’t players that contending teams would want to start.
The one name who could potentially slide in and start is Jonathan Kuminga. He would have to swallow his pride to take a minimum deal, but the longer he remains unsigned, the more likely the Timberwolves are to land him on a one-year, prove-it deal.
The answer to who will be the Timberwolves’ starting power forward remains to be determined. As Finch stated, there might be multiple answers. There is still time this offseason for it to be someone who isn’t even on the roster right now, so stay tuned.
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