MN Timberwolves Sign Some Frontcourt Help

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New Minnesota Timberwolves power forward, Trey Lyles while with the Sacramento Kings
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Timberwolves have work to do on their roster before the start of the 2026-27 season, if they want to be considered legitimate contenders in the Western Conference.

Unfortunately, after losing Naz Reid and Julius Randle to upgrade at point guard with LaMelo Ball, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly doesn’t have a lot of space under the luxury tax to improve a team now weak in the frontcourt.

Of course, in a perfect world, the Wolves would sign LeBron James to a veteran’s minimum contract, add another piece or two around the edges, and enter game one of the regular season as one of the favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy next summer.

Minnesota Timberwolves sign new power forward

And hey, maybe that’s how reality will play out. For now, they still reportedly have a shot. Until LeBron officially closes that door, we know A-Rod, Lore and Connelly are going to try and pull the 41-year-old through.

Until then, however, the roster was still in desperate need of more frontcourt depth, no matter who eventually starts at power forward. So on Friday, Connelly got one, agreeing to terms with 30-year-old former Kentucky standout, Trey Lyles.

At one point earlier in his 10-year NBA career, Trey Lyles was considered a starting-caliber power forward. In fact, he has 131 starts on his resume. However, he has only started five games in the past three seasons and hasn’t seen double-digit point totals since 2021-22.

With that being said, Lyles will definitely play… and quite a bit, for that matter. At no time, during any of his five stops before landing in Minnesota, has Trey Lyles dropped under 15.5 minutes per game.

Setting expectations: What are Wolves getting in Trey Lyles

The Saskatchewan, Canada native is a good defender and, the past three seasons in Sacramento he averaged 6.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.6 minutes per game (69 GP). His deal is expected to be a veteran minimum contract, but details have yet to surface.

If Lyles winds up being the Wolves starting power forward for most of 2026-27, they might be in trouble. If he winds up being a nice complimentary piece off the bench, they could be in great shape.

Related: Mike Conley Moving On From Minnesota

In other words, the future remains in flux until Connelly adds more starting caliber talent to this roster. This move does NOT, however, mean anything in their pursuit for LeBron James.

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