Examining the Timberwolves' Bench After Jonathan Kuminga Signing

The next wave

Bones Hyland, Terrence Shannon Jr.

This is where things get interesting.

With Terrence Shannon and Bones Hyland now entering the fold, it would make three players who prefer to have the ball in their hand on the floor at the same time. Because Dosunmu was the best player in catch-and-shoot three situations off the bench (43%) and pushes a lot off of grabbing rebounds, it seems as though that could be his starting point with this group.

Shannon and Hyland, on the other hand, could split duties in the halfcourt. Shannon specifically was a revelation in the playoffs last year with the ball in his had. So much so that Finch admitted he was using him incorrectly all season.

Hyland also was effective in catch and shoot situations beyond the perimeter (40%), and the conundrum remains that there's one ball on the floor for this group. But both players in this group simply flashed too much upside and bring too much excitement and pace to the rotation to leave them on the bench.

We'll see

Jaylen Clark

We arrive to the point where if Jaylen Clark plays every night here, Chris Finch is running a 10-man rotation. That simply won't happen.

Experience is not the issue with Clark. He's battle-tested, has shown ability, and will certainly play this season in games where the Wolves lack intensity and need defensive pop.

Clark's issue is that he has never been able to put a consistent offensive game together. Teams simply feel too good about leaving him in the corner, or letting him drive from his off hand to have him be an every night player on a contender.

Clark will certainly see the floor at points throughout the season, especially if injuries creep into the rotation. But it feels like he's the odd one out unless Finch runs an unprecedented rotation in his coaching career.

Either it's a blowout or the house is burning down

Trey Lyles, Cody Williams

Trey Lyles was a Kuminga signing away from seeing legitimate minutes. He still will see time this year with Rudy Gobert likely not playing 82 games.

But the reality is he has a lot of talent above him, all players who have seen postseason action to boot. Lyles can shoot and plays hard, but won't likely be a rotation piece with ten players above him in the rotation.

Cody Williams simply slides into the Julian Phillips "Hey, he might have some talent, let's see if a change of setting helps" bench spot.

Williams has been up and down (largely down) in his first two NBA seasons, yet to shoot better than 30% from three. A former top-ten pick with a promising frame, it will be something to monitor throughout the season if the tone on him changes, but as of now, something is very wrong if he sees prolonged action.

What was once a concern for the Wolves heading into the season is tempered. Depth was a clear issues. But by signing a now clear-cut starter and prospective glue guy in Jonathan Kuminga at the power forward, a need of presence off the bench, suddenly is in the rearview mirror.

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