Earlier this offseason, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch discussed expanding the Wolves' rotation to include up to 10 players. In a recent interview with Britt Robson of MinnPost, Finch discussed how this will likely be a situational 10.
"It is certainly nine, Finch said when discussing expanding the rotation. For sure. And a situational 10. Maybe even the ninth guy is different. Some nights it might be more of a point guard need, another might be a defensive need. It could be more of a big on another night."
This makes sense, as it's hard to give 10 players ample opportunity. Regardless, nine players will give the Wolves a deeper squad, as they typically run an eight-man rotation, including last season.
Minnesota ranked 24th in bench minutes and 19th in bench points last season. However, this seems destined to change as the Wolves expand their rotation this season. After losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Wolves will be counting on their collective depth, especially from their young talent, to make up for this loss.
Three young players will rotate as the Timberwolves' ninth man
The Wolves' traditional starting lineup (Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert) and key bench players (Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo) will, of course, make up seven of the rotation. Given that he's 25 and has shown a ton of flashes, especially as a scorer, I predict that Terrence Shannon Jr. will establish himself as a mainstay in the Wolves' rotation, taking on the eighth man role.
Based on Finch mentioning that the ninth guy could be different, it's fair to predict Rob Dillingham, Jaylen Clark, and Joan Beringer all being used as the ninth man. Finch specifically mentioned some nights could be a point guard need, others a defender, and others a big man. This seems to be a clear outline for Dillingham, Clark, and Beringer to all be sprinkled into the rotation.
Nevertheless, Finch saying, maybe the ninth guy is different, opens the door for one of these players to become a mainstay in the rotation. Dillingham feels like the best candidate given the Wolves' need for extra ball handling and shot creation. The mention of a situational 10 could open up the chance for two of Dillingham, Clark, and Beringer to play on any given night.
Minnesota's depth will be a strength this season, and its young players will need to develop to make up for the loss of Alexander-Walker. It's been well-known that the Wolves were expanding their rotation, and their exact rotation is becoming clearer after Finch's comments.