The Timberwolves’ starting power forward spot is suddenly looking like one of the more open questions on the roster.
For most observers, Jaden McDaniels seemed like the obvious fit. He may not be a natural four, but he has handled the job before, and his length and edge help cover for the size mismatch he can run into there. Even so, that assumption got a jolt when Chris Finch made his thoughts plain in an interview with Christopher Hine of The Minnesota Star Tribune: “in my mind’s eye, I don’t see that as a starting lineup with him there” when discussing McDaniels at power forward.
That comment points toward McDaniels opening the season at small forward instead. And when Tim Connelly spoke with Dan Barreiro of KFAN, the president of basketball operations added another wrinkle, saying there are other choices on the roster for the four that might be "left-fieldish" to some.
So who could actually fill the spot?
Joan Beringer doesn’t look like the clean answer, even though he started at power forward in his lone summer league game with Rocco Zikarsky at center. The issue is fit: Zikarsky isn’t strictly a paint-only offensive player, but pairing him with Rudy Gobert would still leave the spacing looking cramped.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is another possibility, even if he isn’t usually viewed as a power forward. He does outweigh McDaniels by roughly 30 pounds, and starting him would let the Wolves put four shooters around Gobert. The question is whether that works on the glass, since Shannon hasn’t built a reputation for rebounding in his first two seasons.
Jaylen Clark brings a different kind of case. At 6-foot-5, he’s undersized for the position on paper, but he’s strong enough that opponents won’t simply move him around. His physical defense could make him a workable option if Finch believes the starting group of Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and McDaniels already has enough scoring punch.
Josh Green is in the mix too. At his introductory press conference Tuesday alongside Ball, Green said he is comfortable defending positions one through four. He started full-time at shooting guard for the Charlotte Hornets in 2024-25, though he didn’t make a start for them last season.
Then there’s Trey Lyles, the most natural four of the group. Even so, he would still count as a surprise choice after spending last season overseas and signing with Minnesota on a one-year veteran’s minimum deal. The 10-year NBA veteran has started only five games over the last three seasons with the Sacramento Kings.
If McDaniels does not slide to power forward, one likely ripple effect is that Ayo Dosunmu comes off the bench. That would not be a small role, either.
With the second unit looking thin, Dosunmu could become the top reserve and still log 25-30 minutes a night. He also isn’t big enough to factor into the conversation at the four.
In Other News...
What One Legendary Voice Could Unlock For Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards has already shown he can carry the Timberwolves with his talent, but the next step has always looked like the harder one. For all the electric scoring and swagger, there have been moments that raised questions about maturity and leadership, from postgame comments that sounded too casual to sideline reactions that suggested the emotions can still run hot when the stakes rise.
That is where the idea of a veteran voice with real championship gravity becomes so intriguing for Minnesota. Edwards would not just be getting another star in the room, but a player whose career has been built on handling pressure, managing expectations and setting a standard every night, and that kind of influence could matter just as much as any on-court fit if the Timberwolves ever get that chance. [Read more 🡒]
Isaiah Evans Already Faces A Brutal Timberwolves Reality
Isaiah Evans arrived in Minnesota with some real intrigue as the No. 33 pick, the kind of second-round swing that can pay off if the fit and the runway line up. He brought a reputation from Duke as a shooter who can also defend, which is exactly the sort of profile teams like to stash and develop while they sort out the rest of the roster.
But the Timberwolves have not exactly left him much breathing room in the backcourt. With a crowded guard rotation already in place, Evans is staring at a season where meaningful minutes are hard to find, and his best path early on may be waiting for injuries or other openings to create a small window. For now, the more realistic story is about patience, because his long-term value will depend on whether Minnesota can eventually turn that college promise into a usable role down the line. [Read more 🡒]