The Minnesota Timberwolves are going into the upcoming season with a new starting lineup to boast after making a pair of offseason trades.
Ayo Dosunmu, Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert are projected to start for the Wolves, which Bleacher Report writer Greg Swartz places at No. 12 in his starting lineup rankings.
“There’s perhaps no greater positional need from any team than the Minnesota Timberwolves have for a starting power forward right now,” Swartz wrote.
“After trading
away both Julius Randle and Naz Reid, the Wolves are looking at a small lineup with the 185-pound McDaniels playing the four unless further roster moves are made. Ball takes over the starting point guard duties in Minnesota and Dosunmu, though undersized, has played his share of small forward in the past for a guard-heavy Chicago Bulls team. The Wolves still need a real power forward who won’t be blown over by a stiff breeze before the season begins.“
In this perspective lineup, the Wolves are essentially running with three guards: Ball, Edwards, and Dosunmu. Ball stands 6-7, which will give him the opportunity to defend more wings, but he won’t be a wing on the offensive end of the floor.
The Wolves could swap out Dosunmu and have him come off the bench, but there isn’t necessarily a strong option off the bench that would give Minnesota the size they need.
Until they make a trade for another forward, the Wolves are better off sticking with this quintet.
Canis Hoopus community, do you think the Wolves are too small in the starting lineup? Let us know in the comments section below.
