With the Minnesota Timberwolves roster as currently constructed, it was presumed by most that Jaden McDaniels would be the team’s starting power forward. It might not be his natural position, but he’s at least handled it in the past, and his length and tenacity can help him overcome weight disadvantages he’d often face.
Otherwise, there’s not a clear guy on the Timberwolves who can start at the four with Julius Randle and Naz Reid no longer on the roster. Except, in a recent interview with Christopher Hine of The Minnesota Star Tribune, Chris Finch stated that “in my mind’s eye, I don’t see that as a starting lineup with him there” when talking about McDaniels at power forward. That makes it seem as if McDaniels will start the year as the starting small forward.
Then, in an interview with Dan Barreiro of KFAN, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly stated that there are other options on the roster to start at power forward that might be "left-fieldish" to some. Who might they be?
No obvious answer to start at the four
First off, I don’t think the answer is Joan Beringer. Yes, he started at power forward in his one summer league appearance with Rocco Zikarsky at center. Zikarsky isn’t strictly a paint player on offense, though, so the spacing wouldn’t be ideal with both Beringer and Rudy Gobert both playing together.
Terrence Shannon Jr. isn’t thought of as a power forward, but he does outweigh McDaniels by about 30 lbs. Starting Shannon would allow four shooters to surround Gobert. Thus far in his first two seasons, though, he hasn’t been known to crash the glass.
Jaylen Clark stands at just 6-foot-5, but he is quite strong. His defensive persistence and physicality will not allow him to be bullied by the opposition often. Clark would be an option only if Finch believes the trio of Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and McDaniels provides the starting lineup with enough offense.
Josh Green, also acquired in the Ball trade, stated in Tuesday’s introductory press conference for the two of them that he is comfortable guarding positions one through four. Green was a full-time starter (at shooting guard) for the Charlotte Hornets in 2024-25, but he made zero starts for them last season.
Trey Lyles is a natural power forward, but he would be a surprising choice after he played overseas last season and joined the Wolves on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal. The 10-year NBA veteran only started five total games in the previous three years with the Sacramento Kings.
Not starting McDaniels at power forward likely means Ayo Dosunmu will come off the bench. That may make sense, as the bench doesn’t look like a strength, and he would become their best reserve who can still get 25-30 minutes a night. Dosunmu is too small to be an option at the four.
Could Connelly make a trade for a four? None of the free agents available seem like they’d be a good choice to start (other than LeBron James). Finch's and Connelly’s recent comments have many fans speculating what their starting lineup could be on opening night.
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