The New York Knicks are NBA Champions. Beyond the mixed emotions that Minnesota Timberwolves fans are feeling seeing Karl-Anthony Towns win his first championship, the Knicks' run leaves the Wolves with several roster-building lessons.
It's a copycat league -- to be the best, you have to learn from the best. The main takeaway from the Knicks' run, for me, as it relates to the Wolves, is that you must build a roster that perfectly complements your star.
New York surrounded Brunson with size, defense, versatility and shooting. This proved to be the perfect recipe.
Trading for Towns was the final move to take the Knicks to the next level, as his floor spacing abilities and general offensive brilliance made life much easier for Brunson and gave him a true co-star. However, trading for three elite defensive wings in OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart was just as important.
The Wolves have some players who fit perfectly alongside Anthony Edwards, but they need to make some changes to become top-tier title contenders. This was already clear before the Knicks hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy, but now this point should be hammered home and the Wolves must prioritize fit in their offseason moves.
The Wolves already have some players who complement Edwards
When looking to build the ideal roster around Ant-Man, there are a few things I would prioritize: playmaking, off-ball comfortability, general shooting, another dependable creator, and defense. The Wolves aren't too far away from this goal.
Without a doubt, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Ayo Dosunmu are three players who are perfect fits alongside Ant-Man. McDaniels is an elite perimeter defender with a rapidly improving offensive game. His blend of on-ball creation and off-ball shooting makes him a seamless offensive fit with Ant, in tandem with the obvious defensive advantages.
Reid's floor spacing and play-finishing skill set make him the perfect four next to Ant. While Dosunmu might be the Wolves' long-term point guard solution, his well-rounded skill set makes him a fantastic complementary player next to Ant. Whether it's finishing, spot-up shooting, connective playmaking or defense, Dosunmu gives you a little bit of everything.
Down the road, I think Joan Beringer makes a lot of sense as a center next to Ant. Given that the Wolves aren't willing to trade him, they clearly value his fit alongside Edwards.
All of this is to say the Wolves have a very solid foundation around Edwards, who is still just 24.
This isn't a perfect comparison playstyle-wise, but McDaniels, Ayo and Reid are almost like the Wolves' version of OG, Bridges and Hart. Ironically (or maybe more accurately painfully), they're searching for their version of KAT -- a second option who complements the 1A.
Finding an ideal co-star for Ant-Man could be tricky
While the Wolves have a great foundation in some ways, it will be difficult to find a co-star who is a seamless fit with Ant.
It goes without saying that Julius Randle proved to be a poor fit next to Edwards and will be traded this summer. Parting ways with Rudy Gobert and getting a more offensively slanted center (in either a Gobert or Randle trade) also feels possible.
The ideal co-star for Ant can play on or off the ball and provide some playmaking juice.
Regardless, finding a co-star who is attainable with Randle and Gobert has the primary trade targets might prove to be a difficult task. This is particularly the case with Kyrie Irving seemingly off the market. A Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has been speculated, but it's unlikely to happen given the Wolves' viewing McDaniels as off limits.
Could they have a shot at Kawhi Leonard? Maybe, but that's unclear at this juncture. Does Dejounte Murray have enough talent to be a true No. 2 option? I certainly like his fit, but this is a fair question. Ja Morant is available, but I would be wary given his injury concerns and lack of off-ball play.
If they can't find an ideal co-star for Ant, it's possible that they bank on internal growth.
As noted, McDaniels, Dosunmu and Reid all complement Edwards wonderfully. Perhaps one of them (likely McDaniels or Dosunmu) could emerge as a true second option. This, paired with bolstering their depth and adding more complementary players, could be the Wolves' winning blueprint.
Still, ideally, they find a clear-cut co-star who complements Ant.
The point is that Minnesota must prioritize fit around Edwards in any move they make this summer; that's how they can reach their championship aspirations. The Knicks reminded everyone that you need a roster that complements your star to win at the highest level and the Wolves can't forget this.
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