The Timberwolves’ starting lineup question is getting most of the attention, but the cleaner solution might be sitting a little deeper on the roster: bring Ayo Dosunmu off the bench.
Minnesota’s best five, talent-wise, is LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. That group creates its own question at power forward, since either McDaniels, Dosunmu, or Edwards would have to handle that spot. Based on what Chris Finch has said, it may actually be more likely that Edwards or Dosunmu takes on the opposing four.
That’s why starting one of Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark, or Josh Green has some appeal. It would give the Wolves a different look in the frontcourt. But the bigger advantage, at least from here, is what happens to the bench if Dosunmu starts.
If Dosunmu opens games, Minnesota suddenly looks thin for dependable second-unit scoring unless you’re fully sold on Shannon in that role. Keeping Dosunmu in a super sub spot would give the Wolves a much-needed jolt, the kind of stabilizing presence fans already know from what Naz Reid provided in that role.
Dosunmu also doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He can fit next to Edwards and LaMelo without issue, and his versatility makes that easy to picture.
Even so, there’s value in letting him keep some on-ball responsibilities. A sixth-man role could be the best way to balance that.
He showed exactly what he can do as a creator when he dropped 43 points against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the first round.
If he comes off the bench, Dosunmu would have to be part of the Sixth Man of the Year conversation. That said, the bigger priority would be fixing a bench group that could otherwise be shaky.
There’s also a reason to think Dosunmu would thrive with Bones Hyland. The two were nicknamed Twin Turbos because of their speed, and that pairing makes sense in a Timberwolves system that wants to play fast. Getting those minutes together could be one of the more interesting ways to maximize the second unit.
As for the starting group, a lower-usage option like Clark or Green may make the most sense. Shannon is a little more ball-dominant, while Clark and Green would bring a simpler fit.
Clark’s case depends on his shooting; if he can hit open 3s, he has a real argument to start. Green would also be a solid choice.
Neither is a natural power forward, but both are tough defenders who could hold up there.
That kind of setup would also help with the usage balance. McDaniels could take on more creation, while Edwards and LaMelo do what they do best. There’s even a case for a matchup-based starting lineup early in the season, especially on nights when three ball-handlers in the first five could help.
Still, the most consistent answer may be the one that keeps the bench from becoming a problem. Until the official lineup is announced, the debate will keep going. But when October arrives, don’t be shocked if Finch’s answer is Dosunmu coming off the bench.
In Other News...
Terrence Shannon Jr. Suddenly Sits At Center Of Timberwolves Roster Dilemma
Terrence Shannon Jr. has suddenly become part of a larger Timberwolves roster conversation, and it is not the kind of role discussion that usually follows a young wing. Minnesota is weighing ways to use him where the team needs help most, which has put his defensive profile under a brighter light than it was last season. Shannon showed some promise as an on-ball defender, but his overall impact was uneven enough that the staff now has to decide how much trust to place in him if the assignment changes.
The challenge is that the fit is about more than just switching spots on the floor. Shannons off-ball engagement and rebounding were real issues, and those are the exact areas that matter most if he is asked to handle bigger bodies and more physical possessions. For the Timberwolves, the question is whether his athleticism and defensive upside can catch up quickly enough to make the experiment work, because the alternative is another roster hole that has to be covered some other way. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Still Have One Roster Problem That Could Derail Everything
The Timberwolves have already done most of the heavy lifting on their offseason roster, with Julius Randle and Naz Reid gone and LaMelo Ball in the mix, but the biggest remaining question is still a familiar one: how to sort out the frontcourt around Rudy Gobert. Chris Finch has made it clear that Jaden McDaniels is not simply being pushed into a full-time power forward job, and the plan is for him to keep a role much closer to what he had last season while still spending some time there.
Minnesota is expected to sort out the final shape of that arrangement by the end of training camp in September, and the answer matters because the Wolves are also trying to piece together a bench that can hold up over the long haul. Terrence Shannon Jr., Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark are all in line to help fill rotation minutes, but the overall balance of the roster still hinges on whether McDaniels can slide into the right spots without creating another problem elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]