The Minnesota Timberwolves are sitting on a frontcourt trio that, on paper, looks like a cheat code: Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid. Each brings a unique skill set to the table-Randle with his shot creation and playmaking, Gobert with elite rim protection and screening, and Reid with his floor-spacing and offensive versatility. But here’s the kicker: despite all that talent, this trio has barely shared the court.
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Randle-Gobert-Reid combination has logged just 20 possessions together this season. That’s up slightly from 15 last year, but still barely a blip in the grand scheme.
And yet, in those 20 possessions, the Wolves have posted a staggering +50 net rating-including a jaw-dropping 165 offensive rating. Yes, it’s a microscopic sample size.
No, those numbers aren’t sustainable. But they’re loud enough to warrant a second look.
We got a glimpse of what this supersized lineup can do in Friday night’s game against the smaller Golden State Warriors. With Anthony Edwards sidelined, the Timberwolves leaned into their size, and the results were eye-opening.
In fact, 18 of the 20 possessions with this trio have come in games where Edwards hasn’t played. But that doesn’t mean the lineup should disappear when he returns.
If anything, it should be part of the toolkit that head coach Chris Finch isn’t afraid to reach for.
Let’s talk about the size. Assuming Jaden McDaniels stays on the floor with this group-as he has in every possession so far-you’re looking at four players standing 6'9" or taller.
That’s a wall of length and versatility. Think about how the Houston Rockets have been thriving with a lineup full of 6'7" and up guys.
Minnesota’s version could be even more punishing, especially on the defensive end.
What makes this trio so intriguing isn’t just the size-it’s how their skill sets mesh. Gobert anchors the defense and sets bone-rattling screens.
Randle gives you a physical creator who can bully smaller defenders and facilitate. Reid spaces the floor and can beat you in a variety of ways offensively.
With Randle and Reid both capable of hitting from deep, the spacing holds up, even with three bigs. And defensively, Gobert’s presence allows Randle and Reid to stay aggressive without being overly exposed.
This isn’t just a novelty lineup-it’s potentially a real weapon. These three might be among the Wolves’ top six players (arguably top five), yet they rarely share the floor. No one’s saying they need to start or close games together, but giving them more run-especially against smaller, finesse-heavy teams-could be a game-changer.
And then there’s the Edwards factor. Surrounding him with more size could make his job easier.
Bigger defenders wouldn’t be able to switch onto him as easily without giving up something elsewhere. That kind of lineup could force opposing teams into tough choices-either stick with their usual matchups and get punished inside, or go big and risk losing mobility and spacing.
One player who could really thrive in this configuration? Naz Reid.
He’s not your traditional center, and this lineup might help redefine his role. Reid has actually spent more time guarding forwards (52.5%) and guards (28.9%) than centers (18.6%) this season.
And the defensive numbers back it up-opposing centers are shooting 60.5% against him, while forwards and guards are hitting just 41.5% and 43.8%, respectively. That’s not a coincidence.
Reid might be better suited as a hybrid forward, and this lineup could unlock that version of him.
Bottom line: the Timberwolves’ triple-big look is more than just a curiosity-it’s a potential difference-maker. It doesn’t need to be the go-to lineup, but it deserves more than a cameo.
Against the right matchups, it could be the Wolves’ version of a “lineup of death”-only this one doesn’t run you off the floor with speed. It buries you with size, skill, and smothering defense.