Ever since the Lamelo Ball trade (which remains yet to be completed), Timberwolves fans have been focused on one question:
Will LeBron James be coming to Minnesota?
The answer is obviously yes, as he will inevitably play either for or against the Wolves at some point in the coming season, his record-setting 24th (how?) season. Whether LeBron is on the way or not, the Wolves have a massive hole at power forward.
James on a minimum deal would undoubtedly be the best solution to that problem (and arguably
the most valuable contract the league has ever seen). Let’s go through the other options, inspired by the tweet by Wolves Wire.
Before we hop into that, let’s start with the on-roster options.
It seems like the Wolves plan on playing Jaden McDaniels at the four, despite the fact that the majority of his career has been at the three. This would leave an open spot on the wing, instead of in the front court, which can be filled by trade throw-in Josh Green or an unexpected leap from one of TJ Shannon or (the more likely option in my opinion) Jaylen Clark.
The depth behind this stack would still be abysmal, with Ayo Dosumnu and Joan Beringer, the assumed sixth and seventh men off the bench, being either too small or too big to fill in at that other forward position.
If we discard the idea of playing Jaden out of his most common position, then the options become far crazier and weirder.
Some have been comparing TJ Shannon’s athletic profile to former Ball teammate (and forever hatewatch member) Miles Bridges, although Shannon was last listed 20 lbs below Bridges and does not have the same burly body type that has allowed the undersized swingman to feast off of Lamelo’s creation abilities.
There was also a report that prompted the question of whether Beringer could play alongside Gobert. I would pretty decidedly say no, and that any question that returns a team with two of the best off the dribble volume three point shooters to a world in which that is their *only* option must be rejected wholeheartedly.
That leaves just yesterday’s signee, Trey Lyles, which… You know what, man, never say never.
That leaves us with the three categories of the aforementioned tweet. Julian Phillips’ option was declined, which means the only options are rerouting Green or attaching Shannon to Green’s 14.6 million dollar deal to reach a slightly larger 17.4 million, with an enticing, admittedly older prospect on the hook.
Three of those remaining options have been moved already, with Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale both headed to Charlotte and Santi Aldama in Dallas. With that glut of forwards on the Mavericks, maybe they are the most logical partner if a deal ends up getting done.
However, that leaves just Naji Marshall as the odd man out. Lucky enough for the Wolves, he probably provides the best skill set for what Minnesota needs. The 28-year-old experienced a bit of a breakout for an understaffed, overasked Mavericks team. He acted as a secondary creator off the bench, shot a high percentage from the field, and scored a career high 15.2 points per game in an expanded role.
He may only be 6’6, the same height as Anthony Edwards or TJ Shannon, but he has the strength and build to hold up as a full-time four. His ability as a perimeter stopper would also push Jaden McDaniels to a more natural defensive role as a help-side shot blocker.
While many fans have also been excited about the idea of trading for the Dallas Mavericks’ other forward, PJ Washington, that option seems impossible without a surprise Rudy Gobert trade. While it may make sense to move Gobert into two serviceable pieces, the defensive support system that Rudy provides is likely more valuable than ever with Lamelo in tow.
Additionally, any two-for-one move would take the Wolves out of the LeBron sweepstakes, as they only have one open roster slot right now.
Of the forward options listed in the original post, neither Nikola Jović nor Obi Toppin seem worth moving Shannon for. However, there are other younger second draft options that could be available to the Wolves.
Maybe former sixth overall pick Jarace Walker can turn his career around and become the player many anticipated he would be coming out of Houston: a fluid, connective piece, a playmaking forward with a defensive and rebounding focus.
Or maybe that could come in the form of Taylor Hendricks, the oft-injured ninth overall pick that the Utah Jazz dumped to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, now on an expiring deal.
Is there any universe in which the Wolves can find their way into the Herb Jones conversation, using TJ Shannon, who has one of the two rumored first-round picks? Unlikely, but the fit is near ideal.
Ultimately, in the words of the iconic Jonny K, this is not a problem that needs to be solved now, or even before the season starts. The Wolves have a hole, but so do many championship teams. Jose Alvarado was vital for the New York Knicks’ championship run this year. He was acquired for two seconds and a bad contract.
Minnesota needs to make moves, but there is no agency to make them.
Until the King comes North…
