Much is being made of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ need for a power forward. Yes, they finally got that star lead guard they have wanted in LaMelo Ball, but in order to do so, Minnesota traded away both Julius Randle and Naz Reid. That has left a gaping hole in the Wolves’ power forward depth chart.
Free agents they could potentially have been able to afford at the position have been coming off the board. The pickings are getting slim, unless they find a way to trade for someone at the four.
Jace Frederick of the St. Paul Pioneer Press brought up a good point, though, about power forwards in a recent tweet by pointing out the San Antonio Spurs just won the West without a true PF.
I think it’s good to have a power forward option on the roster
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) July 2, 2026
But we did just see San Antonio win the West without a legitimate one
Certainly something you can push through at least the opening months of the season without when you have 2 rim protecting centers and long wings
It's a valid point, and it helps should put the minds of Timberwolves fans more at ease.
Spurs made the NBA Finals without using a natural starting power forwardÂ
To begin last season, Harrison Barnes was utilized as the Spurs’ starting power forward. At the start of February, though, he was moved to the bench as San Antonio went with a starting forward duo of Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie.
The Spurs took off after the starting lineup change. This is despite none of their starters being a typical power forward. Champagnie’s natural position is at the three, but it’s not like today’s NBA is filled with power forwards that bang in the post (not that they’re obsolete; there just aren’t many).
San Antonio rode that lineup all the way to the NBA Finals, sooner than anyone thought they would. Having the reigning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in Victor Wembanyama also lessened the need for a traditional four.
The Wolves are in a similar situation, as they have the four-time Defensive Player of the Year in Rudy Gobert to gobble up rebounds and defend the rim. For now, their starting power forward looks to be Jaden McDaniels, who, much like Champagnie, is a natural small forward.
While undersized (by weight), McDaniels’ tenacity at the defensive end and 7-foot wingspan should allow him to mostly be up for the challenge most nights.
I’m not saying Minnesota should forego looking to add a power forward. Unfortunately for them, possible targets like Kenrich Williams, Marvin Bagley III, and Kyle Anderson were recently signed by other teams. Even the Spurs at least have Barnes and Carter Bryant off the bench who can play the position.
None of the Wolves’ current reserves are really capable of that role (unless the Timberwolves go an unlikely route of double-big lineups featuring Gobert and Joan Beringer). They may be able to find someone using Josh Green’s expiring $14.7 million deal.
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