Timberwolves' Power Forward Question Is Still Left Unanswered

The cap flexibility created by the Randle trade also allowed Minnesota to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract after acquiring him at last season’s trade deadline. 

The Timberwolves also signed veteran power forward Trey Lyles, who spent last season playing internationally after a lengthy NBA career. Minnesota also re-signed guards Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark to team-friendly contracts. 

The addition of Ball gives Minnesota another high-level playmaker alongside Anthony Edwards, creating what could become one of the NBA’s top offensive backcourts. Rudy Gobert remains the defensive anchor in the middle, while Jaden McDaniels continues to provide versatility and length on both ends of the floor. 

The biggest question surrounding the roster is the final spot in the starting lineup. 

Minnesota has an abundance of guards, leading to speculation about using a smaller lineup. The team has also been linked to outside additions. LeBron James was among the names discussed before deciding to join the Philadelphia 76ers, but other potential targets remain available. 

Whether Minnesota fills the role internally, plays smaller lineups, or adds another forward remains one of the organization’s biggest questions entering training camp.

Internal Options

Ayo Dosunmu

The first internal candidate is Dosunmu, who recently signed the largest contract of his career. 

The 26-year-old hybrid guard enters his sixth NBA season after averaging 14.8 points per game while shooting better than 50% from the field and more than 40% from three-point range last season. 

A lineup featuring Ball at point guard, Dosunmu at shooting guard, Edwards at small forward, McDaniels at power forward, and Gobert at center would offer significant offensive firepower. 

The concern lies on the defensive end. 

Although Ball, Edwards, and Dosunmu all stand at least 6-foot-4, playing three guards creates challenges against larger lineups. It would also move McDaniels away from his natural wing position. 

McDaniels is widely regarded as one of Minnesota’s top perimeter defenders because of his length and mobility, but at 185 pounds, he would routinely be matched up against more traditional power forwards. The average weight of power forwards at this year’s NBA Draft Combine was 233 pounds. 

That roughly 50-pound difference could create problems in the paint and on the glass. While Gobert could help compensate defensively, asking a 34-year-old center to consistently erase those mismatches presents its own challenges. 

Terrance Shannon Jr.

Another possibility is Terrence Shannon Jr., an oversized guard with enough size to potentially slide into the power forward position.

The 26-year-old is coming off his second NBA season, during which he appeared in just 43 games because of injuries and inconsistent playing time.

Shannon emerged late in the year and earned meaningful playoff minutes. He started three postseason games and scored at least 20 points twice, establishing himself as an important part of the rotation.

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Shannon possesses more size than Minnesota’s other guard options, allowing McDaniels to remain at small forward while Shannon handles larger matchups.

Offensively, Shannon would provide downhill athleticism, create driving lanes and become another lob threat alongside Ball. He showcased those abilities during last season’s playoff series against the Denver Nuggets and attacked Victor Wembanyama during Minnesota’s series against the San Antonio Spurs.

If Shannon can consistently defend larger forwards, he could become a legitimate option for Minnesota’s starting lineup.

Trey Lyles

Lyles is Minnesota’s only traditional power forward currently on the roster. 

The 30-year-old has appeared in 10 NBA seasons and spent last year playing overseas. 

During his four seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Lyles averaged 7.5 points per game while shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.2% from 3-point range. 

Those numbers suggest he is better suited for a reserve role than a starting position. His size fits what Minnesota needs alongside its starters, but his production projects more naturally as a rotational piece. 

Regardless of whether he starts, Lyles could see more playing time than expected because of the Timberwolves’ limited frontcourt depth behind Gobert. 

Joan Beringer

The final internal option is 19-year-old French prospect Joan Beringer, Minnesota’s first-round pick in last year’s draft.

Although Beringer played limited minutes as a rookie, he showed flashes of his potential. In one of his three starts last season, he finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks.

Listed at 6-foot-11 and 230 pounds, Beringer brings size and athleticism while continuing to develop under Gobert’s mentorship. His defensive upside is evident, though his offensive game remains a work in progress.

His size would address Minnesota’s frontcourt concerns, but pairing him with Gobert creates another issue.

Both players fit similar defensive-oriented center archetypes and offer limited floor spacing. While Beringer received minutes at power forward during Summer League, he projects as a more natural backup center capable of anchoring the defense whenever Gobert rests.

External Options

Jonathan Kuminga

With James no longer available after choosing Philadelphia, attention has shifted toward unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. 

The former top 10 pick from the 2021 NBA Draft is 23 years old and has averaged more than 12 points per game over the past three seasons. 

Kuminga has shown flashes throughout his career without fully reaching his potential. 

During the 2023-24 season, he averaged 16.1 points while shooting better than 50% from the field. Since then, injuries have limited his availability. He appeared in only 36 games last season after suffering a hyperextended knee, which led to a bone bruise. 

Kuminga was later traded to the Atlanta Hawks before becoming an unrestricted free agent when the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option. 

Minnesota’s biggest obstacle is financial room. 

The Timberwolves sit approximately $3.9 million below the NBA’s second apron hard cap, making a standard free-agent signing unlikely. 

A sign-and-trade would likely be required. Minnesota could attempt to use Josh Green’s $14.7 million contract or Donte DiVincenzo‘s $12.5 million expiring contract as matching salary. 

One option would involve moving DiVincenzo while negotiating a sign-and-trade centered around Green, although Atlanta already has considerable guard depth.

Another possibility would be moving Green elsewhere to create a trade exception before pursuing Kuminga. Minnesota could move both contracts, but they have voiced interest in holding on to DiVincenzo. Making Green’s departure more likely. 

Even then, the Timberwolves would likely only be able to offer Kuminga between $10 million and $15 million annually. 

Other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, could potentially make stronger offers. 

If Minnesota were able to acquire Kuminga, his athleticism and size would fit well alongside Ball. However, with Edwards, McDaniels, Dosunmu, Ball, and Shannon already providing scoring, Kuminga would likely be asked to focus more heavily on defense and rebounding than offensive production. 

Small Money Options

With the Wolves only sitting about four million under the cap, a small contract is all they can afford

A possibility is unrestricted free agent Trendon Watford. 

Watford, 25, has five seasons of NBA experience. Last season in Philadelphia, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting better than 50% from the field. 

Although he would not project as a full-time starter, he could provide experienced frontcourt depth. 

Another option is 13-year veteran Kelly Olynyk.

Although Olynyk likely would have a limited role on the court, his experience and leadership could benefit a young Timberwolves roster, particularly developing players such as Joan Beringer.

Adding another veteran alongside Rudy Gobert would further strengthen the team’s leadership and experience entering the season.

Rotations Could Determine Minnesota’s Success

Minnesota still has an open roster spot and is expected to add another player before the regular season begins. Any addition will likely come on a modest contract unless the organization can find a way to complete a trade for Kuminga.

Regardless of any outside additions, coach Chris Finch has several versatile options available. 

Dosunmu, Shannon, Green, Lyles, Beringer, and Jaylen Clark all provide lineup flexibility depending on the matchup. 

The NBA has increasingly moved away from relying on traditional power forwards. 

The New York Knicks won last season’s championship with OG Anunoby frequently playing power forward despite being a natural wing. The Oklahoma City Thunder similarly relied on wings such as Jalen Williams in frontcourt lineups in their championship run. 

The trend emphasizes versatile, defensive-minded wings capable of defending multiple positions rather than traditional power forwards. 

Minnesota has several players who fit that mold. 

With less than $4 million in available cap space, adding another impact player will be difficult. Because of that, lineup experimentation and developing chemistry may be the Timberwolves’ main objective before the season begins.