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Timberwolves’ Answer To Starting Lineup Woes Plays For Nets

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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle in a crowd of Memphis Grizzlies players

The Minnesota Timberwolves need to get in on the Cam Johnson sweepstakes, if they aren’t already.

Nets’ Cam Johnson Is Timberwolves’ Answer To Starting Lineup Woes

A playoff team that’s sorely in need of a very specific archetype, Johnson’s just the right 3-and-D forward for a team that isn’t going to make it back to the Western Conference Finals at this rate. That said, it’s not just his skillset that makes him an ideal option for the Timberwolves.

He’s a player they can acquire while still above the second apron.

As Johnson is making $22.5 million this season, Minnesota can acquire him if they’re willing to trade Jaden McDaniels, who’ll earn $23 million in 2024-25. As McDaniels has five years remaining on his deal, the Nets may not want to trade for him, possibly looking ahead when Johnson’s contract expires in 2026. However, there could be a third team willing to take him on due to his age and defensive mastery. One option is the Toronto Raptors, who need a defensive upgrade and are dangling Bruce Brown‘s expiring $23 million contract.

In the end, they’ll still be making a sacrifice, but it may be the best way to salvage their season.

It’s not necessarily because the Julius Randle experiment has gone wrong. After averaging 24.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in 2023-24, the three-time All-Star is averaging 18.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in the first half of 2024-25. Yet, he’s been even more efficient, posting a .582 true shooting percentage this season versus a .569 true shooting percentage.

His shot attempts and usage rate are down though. Anthony Edwards‘s tendency to play hero ball could be a factor. To that point, Edwards is taking a career-high 20.3 shots per game this season. It doesn’t help that Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo are only slightly above-average as facilitators or that Mike Conley has been moved to the bench. Conversely, Randle’s also being asked to focus on his playmaking to smooth out the team’s wrinkles.

In the end, it’s those wrinkles that have been the team’s issue though.

The Wrong Wrinkle

The fit between Randle, Edwards, and Rudy Gobert is oft-discussed but they’re straight, even if not starched and pressed. Just consider that New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson shot a career-high 21.4 field goal attempts per game last season. Also that Randle came to Minnesota with experience playing alongside Mitchell Robinson, another center who doesn’t space the floor.

The wrinkle is that they can’t really count on McDaniels, at least when it comes to knocking down threes.

This season, McDaniels is shooting 32.9 percent from beyond the arc, including 29.3 percent on corner threes. He’s converting 17.4 percent of his “open” attempts (closest defender within 4-6 feet) and 34.8 percent of his “wide open” attempts (closest defender 6+ feet away). For everything that he provides at the defensive end, he’s been difficult to play with because he can’t be that outlet their Big 3 needs.

One solution could be starting Nickeil Alexander-Walker instead, as he’s making 40.6 percent of his long-distance attempts in 2024-25. However, neither Alexander-Walker nor McDaniels solve the issue they have that Randle definitely helps contribute too. Because both players possess slight frames, they’re not particularly suited to guard larger or more physical forwards. This is where Johnson helps in particular.

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He’s still more wiry than a player like P.J. Tucker but it’s more difficult to body him up. Alongside Edwards and Randle, he’ll also be able to conserve more energy on offense, potentially enhancing his defensive impact.

The post Timberwolves’ Answer To Starting Lineup Woes Plays For Nets appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.