The Minnesota Timberwolves have had a busy offseason, but the one hole that remains is at power forward. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid being traded, the power forward position needs addressing, and it got more difficult after Shams Charania reported that Rui Hachimura agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday morning.
Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported last weekend that the Timberwolves had “serious interest” in Hachimura over the weekend and even may have prioritized him as their top target in the second wave of free agency.
Hachimura’s skill set, which saw him average 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and shoot 44.3 percent on 3-pointers and 51.4 percent overall, also validates those reports, but the Wolves now must pivot.
With options dwindling, it makes LeBron James go from a pipe dream to their last hope to solve the power forward position before the season.
Rui Hachimura may have pushed Timberwolves closer to LeBron James
The Timberwolves’ pursuit of James took a turn in their favor toward the end of last week when his agent, Rich Paul, discussed his client’s decision-making on the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul podcast.
With the Timberwolves in the middle of the whiteboard full of potential destinations, Paul noted the benefits of James heading to Minnesota and didn’t rule it out as a place James could play his 23rd season.
“You remember when [Anthony Edwards] said, ‘It’s OK, we’ve got Jaden McDaniels?’” Paul said. “It’s OK. We’ve got Jaden McDaniels. Then you have [Rudy Gobert.] Plus Tim Connelly and that ownership group.”
The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski went on to fan the flames higher over the weekend by reporting the Timberwolves “have ramped up” their pursuit of James, believing they have something that no other destination can provide.
“Unlike several of the other options on the table for him, including the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and James’s hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, the Timberwolves have never won a championship,” Krawczynski wrote. “...The Wolves think if James picks them over all the other suitors – cold weather and spending power be damned – it would be the biggest possible statement he could make in the long-running greatest player of all time debate between him and Michael Jordan.”
With an intriguing framework in place, the Timberwolves are more than just a fun narrative and could give something for James to consider. But with Hachimura signing with the Clippers, it also makes him something the Wolves may need to contend this season.
The Wolves’ current plan is to use Jaden McDaniels at the power forward spot, but that could take away his ability to use his elite perimeter defense. Minnesota also agreed to a deal with Trey Lyles over the weekend, but he’s a depth option rather than someone who prevents them from going after James.
Minnesota could also jump into the trade market if they choose, but that may be unlikely unless they add another branch to its trade to acquire LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets.
While Josh Green may not be long for the Timberwolves after coming over in that deal, the Wolves can not trade him (with another player) in a separate deal for 60 days upon completion of the trade, complicating any other deal for a power forward.
The Timberwolves could lose out on James and roll with what they have going into the season, with plans to adjust ahead of the trade deadline.
But with limited assets to trade, signing James may be their best option, and Hachimura’s decision to turn down the Wolves may push them closer to bringing in one of the greatest players in NBA history to solve their power forward problem.
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