The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of several teams waiting to see where LeBron James will sign this summer. But as James’ latest decision drags on, the drumbeat for him to come to Minnesota keeps getting louder.
James has left most of the league in the dark while he mulls over potential destinations, but several NBA voices have come out in recent days vouching for Minnesota, including former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins.
“I want to see him in Minnesota with Ant-Man,” Cousins said while sitting courtside for a summer league game between the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards. “I think Bron in Minnesota with Ant-Man would be must-watch TV. They added LaMelo Ball, who’s also another exciting player. You put those three characters together, and I think we’re in for some good ball and possibly a championship run.”
The Athletic’s David Aldridge also made his case for James to sign with the Timberwolves, joining a growing chorus that is in the Timberwolves’ corner.
“Of course, it’s a longshot,” Aldridge admitted. “But in a perfect world, James would be a Timberwolf, coming out on opening night with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, LaMelo Ball and Jaden McDaniels as the old nWo Wolfpac theme blares on the sound system at Target Center.
“...Going to the Wolves is not nearly as sexy a story as a Last Dance for LeBron in Cleveland. Or a second stint on South Beach. Or giving the Sixers hope they could make magic in the Illadelph. I get it. I wanted James to finish with the Warriors, just because it would be fun for him to play with Steph Curry and Draymond Green and for Steve Kerr – all people he knows and likes. But in the absence of that, the best spot in Minnesota.”
Timberwolves are becoming the people’s choice to land LeBron James
Aldridge and Cousins represent two sides to the argument. As a spectator, Cousins believes it would be exciting to see James share the court with Edwards, Ball and McDaniels, giving him a mentorship role for one of the league’s most exciting cores. It would also be more exciting than a return tour with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat, as two teams that James has already helped win a championship.
While Golden State or Philadelphia would also be intriguing destinations, it wouldn’t carry the same intrigue as Minnesota, which leads Aldridge to make the analytical case for James to join the Timberwolves.
The first case Aldridge made is that the Timberwolves have a natural spot for James to play at power forward. While any team signing James would clear a spot for one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, the 76ers would have to pull some strings to make it happen, with Joel Embiid and Jalen Brown in the frontcourt, who are both more comfortable around the rim than shooting on the perimeter.
Even the Cavaliers have Evan Mobley at power forward and the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade, which would force James to play out of position to some level. While James’ natural talent could carry him in any role, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch noted last week that the fit would be the best case for him to come to Minnesota while also becoming a mentor for his young team.
Aldridge noted that the Wolves “have plenty of shooting to surround James.” McDaniels (41.2 percent) and Ayo Dosunmu (41.4 percent) both shot over 40 percent on 3-pointers during their time with the Timberwolves last season, while Anthony Edwards (39.9 percent) and Ball (36.8 percent) are both elite shooters considering the frequency with which they fire from beyond the arc.
There is also plenty of help on the defensive end. McDaniels continues to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, and if James lets a younger player get past him, Rudy Gobert is there as the last line of defense as a shot blocker and an overall presence to create defensive rebounds.
The chances are good that no matter who signs James, they’ll be a legitimate contender for a championship this season. But the Wolves have the best chance to actually claim the trophy with James in town, with an infrastructure that is begging to plug him in.
With Cousins also vouching for the Wolves, it’s a decision that plenty of people want to see as well. And while it may not be the most likely outcome, it may be one James has to consider as he decides what will be the next stop in his career.
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