Through 20 games, the Minnesota Timberwolves are sitting at 12-8-a solid start on paper, but one that leaves plenty of questions about whether this team is truly ready to take the next step. After back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, the bar is higher than ever.
The Wolves aren’t just trying to be good-they’re trying to be great. Finals-level great.
And right now, it’s hard to look at this roster and say they’re quite there yet.
The most glaring need? Point guard.
Mike Conley has been a steady hand for Minnesota, but at 38, the wear and tear of nearly two decades in the league is starting to show. He’s still a smart, reliable floor general, but the burst, the shot creation, the ability to consistently apply pressure on defenses-those just aren’t there like they used to be.
Behind him, second-year guard Rob Dillingham has yet to carve out a meaningful role. He’s still finding his footing, and that’s not unusual for a young guard, but it also means the Wolves are thin at one of the most important positions on the floor.
Now, fans love to dream big. Names like Ja Morant, Trae Young, and LaMelo Ball get thrown around in trade rumors, and sure, they’re exciting.
But Minnesota may not need a blockbuster to fix what’s ailing them. What they need is someone who can bridge the gap between Conley’s steady hand and Edwards’ explosive scoring.
Someone who can make smart decisions, create offense when needed, and hold his own on the other end.
Enter: Tre Jones.
Jones isn’t going to dominate headlines, but his fit with this Timberwolves team makes a ton of sense. He’s a low-cost, high-impact option-exactly the kind of player that can elevate a contender without blowing up the roster.
Let’s start with what he brings to the table. Jones is a stabilizer.
He averages five assists to just 1.7 turnovers per game, good for a 2.96 assist-to-turnover ratio. That number would rank second on Minnesota’s roster, and it’s not just about the stat-it’s about the way he plays.
He doesn’t force things. He keeps the offense moving.
He makes the right reads. In a team that has struggled to close games in crunch time, that kind of decision-making is gold.
But he’s not just a pass-first guy. Jones can create for himself, too.
Nearly 48% of his made field goals are unassisted, which stands in stark contrast to Conley, whose unassisted rate is just 8.8%. That’s a massive gap in self-creation ability-and it matters, especially late in games when defenses tighten and you need guys who can make something out of nothing.
One area where Jones could make an immediate impact is rim pressure. Outside of Anthony Edwards, the Wolves don’t have a guard who consistently attacks the paint.
Conley just doesn’t have the legs for it anymore, and while Donte DiVincenzo is a knockdown shooter, he’s not a downhill threat. Dillingham has potential but isn’t ready to carry that load.
Jones, on the other hand, is averaging 4.4 rim attempts per game-ranking in the 93rd percentile, per Databallr-and he’s converting those looks at a 65.7% clip. That’s elite efficiency.
For comparison, Conley is taking less than one shot per game at the rim and converting at just 46.2%. Jones’ ability to get to the cup and finish adds a much-needed layer to Minnesota’s offense.
And he’s not just a one-way player. Despite standing just 6-foot-1, Jones is a high-level defender.
He ranks in the 90th percentile in steals per 100 possessions, showing great anticipation and quick hands. He’s not going to lock down bigger wings, but he competes, and he makes life tough for opposing guards.
That kind of defensive tenacity would fit right in with a Wolves team that’s built its identity on toughness and grit.
So why would the Bulls move him?
Chicago’s backcourt is crowded. Between Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, and Jones, there’s a logjam.
If the Bulls decide to pivot toward a rebuild-or even just retool their roster-they could look to upgrade their frontcourt or wing depth. They also owe a lottery-protected first-round pick, and if the season starts slipping away, they may prefer to bottom out and keep that selection.
That opens the door for Minnesota.
The price for Jones likely won’t be sky-high. He’s the kind of player who won’t cost you a core piece but could make a real difference in a playoff series.
He won’t take the ball out of Edwards’ hands, but he’ll make life easier for him. He won’t dominate the offense, but he’ll keep it organized.
He won’t make headlines, but he might just help this team finally break through to the Finals.
If the Wolves are serious about making a run, Tre Jones is the kind of move that makes sense-not flashy, but smart. And sometimes, that’s exactly what a contender needs.