The Minnesota Timberwolves must overhaul their roster to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. Adding former Spurs guard Kawhi Leonard could solve some of Minnesota’s roster issues. The Wolves didn’t have enough shooters or players who could create their own shots to beat San Antonio’s stout defense. They also faced Victor Wembanyama’s shot-blocking skills. They had no answer for him.
Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu were injured and limited. Donte DiVincenzo tore his Achilles in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. All these factors led to Minnesota’s loss.
To take the next step in the playoffs, the Wolves should try to get Leonard from the LA Clippers.
Leonard is 34 but aging well, like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. Edwards needs another star to help him. Jaden McDaniels trains with Leonard in the offseason and can learn a lot more from him. Leonard could help Edwards and McDaniels unlock a new level.
Questions about who will be the starting point guard remain unanswered. Leonard can play multiple positions from 1 to 4. He’s not tall enough to be a center, but he can guard Wembanyama if needed. Also, the Wolves are okay with Dosunmu as the backup point guard and 6th man, similar to Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Wolves should also target Kris Dunn, who the Wolves drafted fifth overall in 2015 and traded to the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler on draft night two years later. The team has new management now. With Edwards healthy and improving, Dunn will be someone to take the defensive burden off Edwards. His job will be to help if McDaniels gets into foul trouble.
Since Leonard has injury concerns, how will coach Chris Finch manage his playing time? That’s why they should keep Naz Reid so he can be ready to step in from the 3 to the 5. Dosunmu will be the sixth man off the bench.
The Wolves have to consider trading Julius Randle to help acquire Leonard. However, getting Leonard will still cost more. Leonard isn’t at the level of Curry, LeBron, or Durant. Still, he’s a great two-way player. The Wolves have to trade Donte DiVincenzo, who will spend next season recovering and might not play the same way again. Rudy Gobert would have to go the other way as well.
They have to let go of Terrence Shannon Jr. or Jaylen Clark. Shannon is very quick and good in transition, which the Clippers would like, but he’s an inconsistent scorer. Clark is a strong defender, but isn’t as good offensively as Shannon Jr. The Wolves might need to give up two of their first-round draft picks (2026 and 2029) to get the Clippers to accept.
Minnesota should also consider trading for Brook Lopez, a reliable veteran center. Lopez, 38, can help Rocco Zikarsky improve his perimeter shooting. Joan Beringer as well. Adding Lopez would allow the Wolves to move on from Gobert. Lopez is a good defender and can shoot many threes, which will help Edwards score more in isolation. The Wolves likely give up another draft pick, such as their second-round pick (2027 or 2029).
Game plan
The Wolves will start Kawhi Leonard at the beginning of games and keep him on the court until around five minutes before halftime.
Rotation:
1) Leonard 2) Edwards 3) Naz 4) McDaniels 5) Lopez
6) Dosunmu 7) Shannon Jr. 8) Dunn 9) Beringer
First Half:
Starting 5: Leonard, Edwards, Naz, McDaniels, Lopez
First substitutions: Dosunmu, Edwards, Leonard, McDaniels, Naz
Second quarter:
Starting 5: Dunn, Shannon Jr., Leonard, McDaniels, Lopez
First substitutions: Dunn, Shannon Jr., Leonard, McDaniels, Beringer
Second substitutions: Dosunmu, Edwards, McDaniels, Naz, Beringer
Second Half:
The plan is to conserve some of Leonard’s energy so he can unleash in the closing minutes alongside Edwards.
Third quarter: Leonard, Edwards, Naz Reid, McDaniels, Lopez
First substitutions: Dosunmu, Shannon Jr., McDaniels, Leonard, Lopez
Second substitutions: Dunn, Edwards, McDaniels, Naz, Beringer
Fourth quarter:
Starting 5: Dosunmu, Shannon Jr., Naz, McDaniels, Beringer
Substitutions: Leonard, Edwards, Naz, McDaniels, Lopez
The Clippers get younger with this trade, which is their ultimate goal. Randle gets a fresh start. DiVincenzo will be motivated to get healthy and make a name for himself in Los Angeles. Darius Garland is still leading the charge. He’ll be motivated to potentially play with DiVincenzo. The Clippers get their defensive anchor in Clark, who can replace Leonard’s defense. Gobert will also help anchor the defense.
The Wolves got older with Leonard, Dunn, and Lopez. Still, this helps Edwards because they bring more offense to the table. Tim Connelly needs to focus on winning now. Leonard and Dunn could play for about five more seasons. Lopez likely plays two more years before centers Beringer and Zikarsky take over. Or Beringer takes over after next season, with Lopez coming off the bench.
