Minnesota Timberwolves coach-president Tom Thibodeau is on the same page as everyone else: He knows his team needs wings who can shoot and defend.
The problem?
So does everyone else.
Speaking with the media a few days after the Timberwolves were eliminated from the postseason by the Houston Rockets, Thibs made it clear he will try targeting three-and-D wings to elevate the team’s profile, per The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski:
–Thibs says adding wings who can shoot 3s and guard multiple positions is top priority
–Really likes Butler at the 4, which would seem to point to the return of Rose.— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 30, 2018
The issue here, aside from the reality that every team wants these exact players, is the Timberwolves don’t have cap space. If they’re smart with their money, they will be able to access the full mid-level exception. That $8.6 million should be able to net a nice player in a market that isn’t expected to be kind to free agents.
But the Timberwolves won’t be the only squad offering that money. There will be other teams peddling that much cash, with a few of them being even closer to contention. Minnesota will have to win over prospective targets not only with their direction, but with the promise of a consistent, if prominent, role in the rotation.
Thibs isn’t in a position to make grand statements on that front. No coach in the league relied on his bench less this season, according to NBA.com. Thibs is notorious for overworking his starters, and his affinity for rolling with Derrick Rose over Tyus Jones, at times, doesn’t suggest he’s all that committed to most second-stringers.
Still, maybe the Timberwolves get lucky. Or perhaps Thibodeau is ready to chance. Maybe it’s a combination of both. We’ll have to wait and see. At least Thibs knows what the Timberwolves need, though. Now it’s just a matter of whether he can get it.
