The Minnesota Timberwolves have already made significant changes to their roster this summer, and they had another when Mike Conley agreed to sign with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday morning. The one-year deal, which was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, ends Conley’s four-year tenure in Minnesota and removes a veteran leader in the locker room, but it may not be as big of a blow as it seems.
Set to turn 39 in October, it felt like he had run his course with the Wolves, and Minnesota acted accordingly, adding LaMelo Ball in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets and agreeing to re-sign point guard Ayo Dosunmu. With Terrance Shannon Jr. also lurking, it made sense for Conley to move on and lead the Timberwolves to their next objective: finding a power forward.
The Timberwolves must find a starting power forward in free agency
The Timberwolves’ power forward position has been the biggest hole to fill as the team enters free agency, and it’s taken a turn over the past few weeks. After trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels is poised to start at the four, but they have no depth behind him.
In an NBA 2K franchise, the perfect target would be LeBron James. James informed the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday that he will be moving on from the team, but while it’s fun to think about and the Wolves have shown interest, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski labeled it a long shot for him to come to Minnesota due to the current payroll situation.
“Because the Wolves have so little money to spend, they might have to wait out the market to see who is left after the music stops,” Krawczynski wrote. “It probably won’t be James, but the idea of LeBron in Minnesota is tantalizing enough to wait out.”
The problem is that the market isn’t waiting for the Wolves. John Collins agreed to a contract with the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday morning, and Dean Wade has agreed to a four-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, taking another player off the board. Despite these deals, the market isn’t dry and could inspire Tim Connelly to find another bargain in the margins.
Rui Hachimura is one target as a 3-point shooter who could stretch the floor, but his expected price could be out of the Timberwolves' range. Kenrich Williams is another intriguing option after his release from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Marvin Bagley III could be another target after a resurgent season with the Dallas Mavericks.
With Connelly’s tendency to pull things out of nowhere, it’s also possible the Wolves are thinking of a name that isn’t being discussed. But there’s no secret that the Timberwolves need to use Conley’s roster spot, and it should add a starter to Minnesota’s frontcourt.
