Despite a bit of a disappointing season, the Minnesota Timberwolves likely won’t make a blockbuster move this offseason. They’re fairly cap-strapped and tied to their existing core. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t involved in NBA trade rumors or being linked to some of the key role players set for free agency this summer.
After opting not to guarantee Taurean Prince’s contract for the 2023-24 season, the Timberwolves carved out a bit of extra salary cap space heading into the start of free agency. This, along with a couple of other smaller moves, could offer enough space to use their Mid-Level Exception (MLE) on a valued bench player.
But who might the Timberwolves have their eyes on? Without enough to target a star starter like Kyrie Irving or Fred VanVleet, let’s look at five more realistic options to thrive in a role off the bench in Minnesota.
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Donte DiVincenzo
When Karl-Anthony Towns was out for 53 games, one factor that became apparent was that the Timberwolves didn’t have enough shooters around Anthony Edwards. We frequently heard about Mike Conley feeling more compelled to shoot instead of distribute, simply out of need. While Conley’s contributions were appreciated, the Wolves need to prioritize adding more specialists who aren’t as streaky as D’Angelo Russell or Jaylen Nowell.
If that’s the criteria, former first-round pick Donte DiVincenzo would seem to fit the bill. He carved out a role that saw him average 26.3 MPG on a Warriors team that went one round further than the Wolves did while posting career-best shooting numbers.
- Donte DiVincenzo’s stats last season: 9.4 PPG, 3.5 APG, 4.5 RPG, 43% FG, 39% 3PT
Yet, DiVincenzo is a pure two-guard. He shouldn’t be asked to distribute or operate as a backup point. But he’s a sniper from long range, rebounds his position well, and even averages 1.2 SPG over his career while offering some above-the-rim athleticism. He’d be a nice fit, if the Wolves can find a point guard to play next to him in the backcourt.
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Gabe Vincent
One player who surely improved his worth during the NBA playoffs is Miami’s Gabe Vincent. He helped the Heat go from being a play-in team, just like the Wolves, to reaching the NBA Finals. In doing so, Vincent increased his scoring averages to double digits (12.7 PPG), while emerging as a key complementary scoring option when Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo weren’t at their best.
Yet, Vincent had been providing steady play throughout the season, so his postseason boost didn’t come as a large surprise. Now, the former undrafted free agent hits the open market at the age of 27, where he figures to cash in.
- Gabe Vincent’s stats last season: 9.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 40% FG, 33% 3PT
Unlike DiVincenzo, Vincent’s true position is at point guard, where the Wolves have a bigger need than shooting guard. Yet, when he’s not shooting well, he doesn’t offer much else on the floor. While Vincent offers effort on both ends of the floor, he’s not a particularly great shooter and better fits can likely be had elsewhere.
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Caris LeVert
If replacing Jaylen Nowell with a more consistent shooter who also has the ability to be a microwave scorer, targeting someone like Caris LeVert could make a lot of sense. Despite having dealt with numerous leg or foot injuries throughout his NBA career, the former first-round pick has three seasons averaging 17 or more points per game.
He’s even coming off shooting a career-best 39.2% from distance, an area where the Wolves could use some work off the bench. But LeVert isn’t just a scorer, he also gets in passing lanes and has averaged over a steal per game in his seven-year career.
- Caris LeVert’s stats last season: 12.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 43% FG, 39% 3PT
LeVert is a decent, not great rebounder for his position. A true shooting guard, LeVert won’t offer much as a distributor, but he is a willing passer considering it’s not his main job title. Make no mistake, when LeVert is in the game, his best skill is letting it fly, and the Wolves could use another bench scorer to pair with Naz Reid.
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Bruce Brown
Like Gabe Vincent, Bruce Brown’s price has skyrocketed with his NBA Playoff performances. Brown not only helped the Denver Nuggets secure their first-ever NBA Championship, he did so by showing he’s capable of stepping up with the game on the line.
The Nuggets would like to keep their versatile swingman but cap constraints could get in the way, with Denver only having $7.8 million to spend. Meanwhile the Wolves are working to have nearly the full MLE available, where they can offer up to $12.4 million. Is that enough to convince Brown to sign with a rival instead of repeat as champs in a place he’s already well-liked?
- Bruce Brown’s stats last season: 11.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 48% FG, 35% 3PT
In other words, the Wolves will face plenty of challenges when it comes to selling the soon-to-be 27-year-old on why he should sign in Minnesota instead of elsewhere. Based on past conversations with many other key free agents, this could be a difficult conversation (which is why the Kyle Anderson signing last season was so key).
But if the Timberwolves could convince Brown that their opportunity, with a rising Anthony Edwards to go with other studs like KAT, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels gives him another chance to compete, while raking in more cash, why not?
Brown provides effort on both ends of the floor, is a decent knockdown shooter, and doesn’t require the ball to make an impact. As he just showed, he’s the exact type of player winning teams need to succeed.
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Dennis Schroder
Another Timberwolves free agency target could include Lakers point guard Dennis Schroder. Like another former Wolf fans grew to love, Schroder is a feisty bulldog who isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty.
Schroder is certainly capable of starting in a pinch, having done so in 317 of his 687 career appearances and even has shown to be a potent scorer in season’s past. Best of all, Schroder could even serve as a bridge option until a 35-year-old Conley moves on as he heads into a contract year.
- Dennis Schroder’s stats last season: 12.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 41% FG, 32% 3PT
While he’s not an efficient shooter from range, Schroder’s ability to contain opposing backcourts, keep teammates involved while still making an impact in the scoring column could make him an ideal fit in Minnesota.