The Minnesota Timberwolves have made several shocking moves this offseason in an effort to finally get over the hump after reaching the Western Conference finals in two of the last three seasons. While the Wolves are excited about their offseason additions, they would like to pull off one more surprise by “stealing” LeBron James from the perceived favorites. What if they can’t find a way to convince “The King” to come to the North Star State?
Wolves Are Excited About Offseason Additions, Still Looking to Add Power Forward for League Minimum
Minnesota started the offseason by shipping starting power forward Julius Randle to Brooklyn for salary cap space. As quickly and quietly that move was made, the Timberwolves turned their available cap space and Naz Reid for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green. The Wolves have also re-signed Ayo Dosunmu, brought in Trey Lyles from Europe, and Isaiah Evans.
“I like who we are, and we’re pretty proud of who we are,” Wolves basketball operations Tim Connelly said at a press conference introducing Ball and Green yesterday. “I like who we are, and we’re pretty proud of who we are. Hopefully that’s appealing, not just to LeBron, but to any free agent.”
“The recruitment is just this team. Obviously, (James is) an unbelievable player,” Connelly continued. “Whatever decision he makes will be the right one. There’s a lot going on. When you’re as great as he is, you should have optionality. When you look at our team, it’s hard not to be excited about what we have.”
It would be a huge coup for the Timberwolves if they landed James. But that is hard to imagine. While the Wolves made James’ top six list, Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia are believed to be his top choices.
“When I talked to teams, my feel is the focus has been around Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia…,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said on Shump Streat with Iman Shumpert. “You have the two legacy moves with Miami and Cleveland. LeBron’s already played with those teams. Both teams are set up in similar realms to win championships. I haven’t gotten a feel that there’s a decision here in the next little bit.
Moreover, Minnesota has 13 players under contract with a salary cap hit of $217.7 million. This leaves the Wolves $3.9 million below the second apron, where they hardcapped. Since the Wolves still have the taxpayer-mid-level exception, they can use the full $3.9 million on a player, likely a power forward.
Tim Connelly on the power forward position:
“There’s a couple free agents still available, we’re working with one or two of them right now” 👀
Cmon LeBron! pic.twitter.com/YUEzwDiD1S
— Kyle Ingram (@SnapshotKyle) July 14, 2026
Who Else Could The Timberwolves Be Interested In At Power Forward?
Besides James, who could the Wolves target? Jonathan Kuminga is another obvious name.
Kuminga has been linked to several teams, but he wants way more than the Timberwolves can afford. Plus, the latest is that the 23-year-old forward’s future is tied to James’ decision.
Kelly Olynyk, David Roddy, Trendon Watford and Jeremy Sochan are among the available players. Olynyk would fit what the Wolves need, as he is a veteran who provides insurance at the 4 and 5. While the 35-year-old hasn’t been a major part of a rotation in three seasons, he can stretch the floor and is strong on the glass, which is exactly what they need.
Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels are currently the Wolves frontcourt starters. 2025 first-round pick Joan Beringer or Trey Lyles figures to be the first big off the bench. Lyles, who has 630 games of NBA experience, is coming off a solid campaign at Real Madrid this past season. Lyles is a combo forward who is a decent 3-point shooter.
Roddy is an undersized power forward with considerable NBA experience and has shown flashes of an all-around game, though he has yet to carve out a consistent role. Similarly, Watford has shown flashes of ability and is an efficient connector who can play both the 4 and 5 off the bench.
Sochan is a talented and versatile defensive-first big. Sochan can guard 1-through-4, though shooting is an issue for the 23-year-old. After being a big part of San Antonio’s rotation his first three seasons, he saw his role diminish last year before being sent to New York at the trade deadline, where he saw scant minutes.
Enrique Freeman and Rocco Zikarsky are bigs on two-way contracts with the Timberwolves and are playing for their summer league team in Vegas. Freeman has been solid in the G-League the past two seasons and has 26 games of NBA experience. The 25-year-old has done excellent work on the glass this summer, though he has struggled to shoot, averaging 5.3 points on 33.3% shooting and 7.0 rebounds.
Zikarsky, 20, had a productive rookie campaign with the Iowa Wolves and appeared in five NBA games. The 7-3 center has struggled with efficiency this summer thus far, though he did score 18 points on 8 of 13 shooting against Portland on Monday.
Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
