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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 potential targets in 2019 NBA free agency

By James Grieco

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 21: President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and Head Coach Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for a photo during a press conference on May 21, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 21: President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas and Head Coach Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for a photo during a press conference on May 21, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Darren Collison

Point guard is the Timberwolves’ most dire need heading into the 2019-20 season. Coming off a season in which he revitalized his career, Derrick Rose will have suitors this time around. He has openly stated he’d like to explore the free agent market, but that he felt very comfortable in Minnesota and would be glad to stay:

"“Whatever the team wants to do, I’m cool with it. I will want to be here.”"

Regardless of those comments, Rose will command significantly more than the veteran’s minimum he signed for last year. Should the Wolves give him that raise and run back a team that didn’t even crack .500 last season?

Throw in the Timberwolves’ own restricted free agent, Tyus Jones, potentially not coming back and Minnesota has a gaping hole at point guard behind Jeff Teague, who is a prime contender to be moved between now and February due to his expiring contract.

Behind Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker and D’Angelo Russell (more in a bit), the 2019 free agent point guard crop is paper-thin. Collison and Patrick Beverly may well represent the fourth and fifth-best options on the market. Here are their stats, compared (Collison on the left, Beverly on the right):

There has been a ton of Collison-to-the-Lakers steam recently, thanks to his link to UCLA and new head coach Frank Vogel, who he played for in Indiana. However, that situation is far from ideal, as playing for a disastrous franchise with LeBron has an unappealing risk-reward ratio for role players: You win and you get a ring but no credit; you lose and it’s your fault. Perhaps Collison would be better-served looking elsewhere.

He is a veteran who can shoot and capably run an NBA offense without needing the ball in his hands. He would be a great fit playing with KAT, and with more reliable point guard play, the Wolves would be a strong bet to make the playoffs.

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