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10 hours ago
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While the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to battle with the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals, they can still look to build for the future. One of the reasons Minnesota has such a loaded defense is due to their frontcourt. In fact, that was one of the few bright spots in the Game 1 loss to the Warriors.
With a loaded frontcourt, long-term decisions will need to be made for Julius Randle and Naz Reid to name a couple. This could lead to the franchise entertaining other options on the free-agent market. Adam Aaronson of the PhillyVoice suggests the Timberwolves could pursue Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele in free agency.
"Yabusele's skillset is far closer to that of Reid's than Randle's, although even Yabusele and Reid are different players. They do check many of the same boxes, and Minnesota's continued bets on size have paid off in recent years. Whichever of Randle and Reid stays could start at the four next to Rudy Gobert, and Yabusele could provide steady rotation minutes off the bench at the four and the five. Their mix of bigs would remain strong," Aaronson wrote.
In an expanded role this season, Yabusele put together a solid season for the 76ers due to many injuries. For the first time in his career, he reached double digits in points averaged, averaging 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. As Aaronson mentioned, he would be a great addition off the bench. Especially, if either Reid or Randle find themselves on a new tea next season.
It's not going to be easy or cheap to keep both Reid and Randle in Minnesota. Although it's not impossible. If the Timberwolves lose one of those frontcourt players, they could look at guys like Yabusele in free agency that will be a bargain deal. Currently on a $2 million contract, he wouldn't be able to ask for a lot more than that per season.
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