The Timberwolves’ power forward situation may still be unsettled, but history suggests Minnesota fans don’t need to panic just yet.
Tim Connelly has shown a clear pattern of waiting for the right moment to make his moves, and that could matter again here. A major change before opening night is possible, but it’s also very possible the Wolves enter the season without having solved the position.
If that happens, it would not mean the front office has ignored the issue. It would more likely mean the market has been difficult to work with.
That kind of patience has paid off before. In the years leading up to the trade deadline, Connelly has completed deals in three of four seasons to strengthen the roster.
In 2023, Minnesota was searching for a more stable point guard than D’Angelo Russell and sent him out in a deal that brought back Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The next season, the Wolves filled a need for a backup point guard by bringing in Monte Morris.
Last year, they added Ayo Dosunmu to boost bench production and give the team another ball handler.
So if the Wolves don’t make a splash at power forward before the 2026-27 season begins, that alone shouldn’t set off alarm bells. More options tend to surface as the deadline gets closer, and that could be especially true at this position.
A quick look around the league shows a few possible names. The Indiana Pacers have Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker behind Pascal Siakam.
The Dallas Mavericks have a crowded situation at forward that could put P.J. Washington on the market.
Jarred Vanderbilt, a former Wolves player, also appears to be available. Los Angeles with the Lakers.
That means Minnesota should have some paths to explore if it waits.
There’s still a chance the answer comes from outside the trade market, too. The Wolves signed Trey Lyles a few weeks ago, though it remains unclear how much he’ll actually factor into the rotation after spending a year away from the NBA.
For now, the biggest question is simple: who opens the season as Minnesota’s starting power forward? It could even be a nontraditional option. But if the need becomes impossible to ignore, Connelly’s track record says he’ll make sure it gets addressed by early February.
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Ayo Dosunmu Could Be At Center Of Minnesota's Riskiest Experiment
Minnesotas move toward a smaller lineup has put Ayo Dosunmu in a more intriguing spot than the one he occupied as a traditional point guard. After the trades that sent Julius Randle and Naz Reid out of the picture, the Timberwolves are looking at ways to keep enough ball handling and spacing on the floor, and Dosunmus athleticism and shooting give them a player who can fit several jobs at once.
The question is whether that versatility becomes a real advantage or a compromise. Dosunmu can help on the wing, but asking him to live there full time also brings size and rebounding concerns into sharper focus, especially for a team already trying to reshape its frontcourt balance. If Minnesota is going to make this leaner look work, it may end up relying on Dosunmu in a role that is useful, but not without risk. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Edwards Finally Has A Shot At The NBA's Best Backcourt
Anthony Edwards finally has the kind of partner that can change the shape of Minnesotas offense, and the conversation around the Timberwolves is shifting fast. Pairing him with LaMelo Ball gives the Wolves a starting backcourt that already belongs in the leagues upper tier on paper, with enough shot creation, pace and playmaking to make opposing defenses work from the opening tip.
The real test, of course, is how it looks once the season starts and the league gets a full read on the fit. Minnesota will be measured against other elite guard tandems around the NBA, but the Wolves case is especially intriguing because the ceiling is so high and the margin for error is so small. For now, the idea of Edwards and Ball being the best backcourt in basketball is more a challenge than a conclusion, and the answer will come only after the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]