As long as they’re all healthy, the Minnesota Timberwolves look to have seven players who will always be in their rotation. They are the starting lineup of LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, and Rudy Gobert, as well as reserves Ayo Dosunmu and Joan Beringer.
Obviously, the normal rotation on a given night will be deeper than that. Which players have the inside track to receiving regular minutes?
Should be in rotation (at least to start the season): Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland
There are two players that will be included here: Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland.
It is pivotal for Shannon to get off to a good start. Injuries kept him out for a good chunk of time last season, and he has received DNP - CDs over his first two years. His on-ball dominance makes him a less-than-ideal fit with the Timberwolves. Still, he is a talented scorer, as evidenced by some of his playoff performances.
Hyland, meanwhile, has struggled in postseason play during his career. He was a pleasant surprise for the Wolves during the regular season, but at some point, Chris Finch could use Dosunmu for backup point guard minutes.
We’ll see: Jaylen Clark and Trey Lyles
Two guys fit here as well as players who could find a normal role, but also have a shot at not coming off the bench: Jaylen Clark and Trey Lyles.
A rugged defender, Clark just needs to develop further on the offensive end. It’s hard to play him, particularly in a postseason setting, if opposing teams show him little respect when Minnesota is on offense.
After a year of playing overseas, Lyles is back in the league for his 11th NBA season. For the majority of his career, the 6-foot-9 forward has come off the bench and been a part of his team’s rotation. He could be used as a backup four by Finch, or the team may decide to look elsewhere most games for these minutes.
Strictly depth pieces: Cody Williams, Isaiah Evans, and the two-way contract players
It’s hard to see these guys getting much floor time unless the team is short-handed. Players who belong here are Cody Williams, Isaiah Evans, and the two-way contracts.
Maybe Williams finds a way by showcasing why the Utah Jazz thought enough of him to select him 10th overall in 2024. He did improve in Year 2, but not enough to make him a clear candidate for regular playing time on a perennial playoff team.
As a second-round pick, Evans may spend a decent amount of time with the Iowa Wolves in the G League. Chris Finch hasn't utilized rookie players much since becoming the team's head coach, such as Beringer last season.
Currently, the Timberwolves have the same three players on two-way deals that they ended last season with: Zyon Pullin, Enrique Freeman, and Rocco Zikarsky. They barely utilized their two-way guys last year, and that will likely be the case again this season.
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