As currently constructed, Minnesota Timberwolves fans are penciling in Jaden McDaniels as the team's starting power forward. However, Chris Finch's latest comments might change things. During an interview with Chris Hine of The Minnesota Star Tribune, Finch said that he doesn't immediately envision McDaniels playing the four.
“I don’t immediately envision Jaden just moving over and playing the four,” Finch said. “While I can see at times he’ll play there and maybe play a good number of minutes there, I don’t see that right off the bat and I don’t necessarily, in my mind’s eye, see that as a starting lineup with him there.”
There are a couple of possibilities here, but to me the clearest one is that the Timberwolves are going to land a starting-caliber forward before the season starts. With the need to add at least one player to be in line with the league's roster requirements, it's assumed that the Wolves will add a forward in one way or another (once LeBron James' decision is made).
What caliber of forward the Wolves can land remains uncertain given their limited spending power in free agency and trade assets. Still, Finch's quote tells me that the Wolves have a plan to address this need in a meaningful way, regardless of James' decision.
The Timberwolves will need to make a meaningful move if McDaniels isn't starting at the four
Now, one could argue the Timberwolves might simply start someone on their existing roster. But look at the other options. Trey Lyles, who was out of the league last year. Going small with Terrence Shannon Jr. or Jaylen Clark. Or finally committing to a non-spacing frontcourt with Joan Beringer and Rudy Gobert.
None of these options sound anywhere close to reasonable for a team with title aspirations.
Starting McDaniels at the four isn't a risk-free move given his slim frame, but it's undeniably more ideal than the current alternatives.
Maybe Finch is simply keeping his options open, but saying that he doesn't envision Jaden as the starting four tells me that Tim Connelly has a move up his sleeve, even if LeBron signs elsewhere.
It is worth noting that the article discussed the idea of lineups being matchup-specific.
"What kind of power forward may be across from them, whether it’s a burly, rugged type, a center playing down a spot or a stretch-the-floor shooting four, may dictate who plays and how the Wolves play on a given night," Hine wrote.
“There’s always tactics,” Finch said. “They leave you with choices and things to give up to be able to game plan around.”
Even still, I can't imagine that the Wolves will start one of the aforementioned options of Lyles, Clark, Shannon or Beringer at the four. The Wolves could sign a stopgap forward like Georges Niang. He could start alongside McDaniels if the matchup calls for it or come off the bench if they don't need extra frontcourt size.
Or maybe a trade is on the horizon. P.J. Washington and Obi Toppin are clear fits. This possibility would have to wait until September, since Josh Green can't be aggregated with another contract until September 8. Nevertheless, after Finch's comments, I feel even more confident saying that a move is on the way at some point.
With Connelly running the show, the Wolves will always be aggressive. This has been the primary reason why I've maintained confidence that the Wolves will upgrade their fatal flaw before the season starts.
Ultimately, while Finch's comments don't confirm any moves are happening, they do hint that changes are likely -- because again, why else would Jaden not be penciled in as the starting power forward?
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