Timberwolves still have reason to believe LeBron James will land with them

Even though the Minnesota Timberwolves have been in the mix to get LeBron James, they haven't been one of the big three teams linked to him.

Instead, teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are getting more buzz as projected landing spots for James.

But, all hope is not lost for the Timberwolves. This team has something to offer that other teams don't, and Bobby Marks and Brian Windhorst of ESPN are making that point.

Timberwolves and LeBron James could still happen

Don't count Minnesota out just yet. In a feature out on Friday, Marks and Windhorst analyze a bevy of teams still in the hunt for James, and the Timberwolves are one of them. Minnesota has something special to offer.

As for what the Wolves can offer in cash, they note that "the Timberwolves are $4.4 million below the second apron hard cap and have only the $3.9 million veterans minimum exception to offer James," according to Marks.

But, their pitch to James is that "with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, the Wolves have elite perimeter play and rim protection," plus, "Jaden McDaniels would provide James cover by guarding opponents' top wing scorers." Who can say no to that?

Also, Edwards and James played together on the Olympic team, so there's a familiarity there.

On the this-probably-doesn't-matter-but-is-cool front, Windhorst points out that "James and coach Chris Finch are both big Ohio State fans," which should make for some fun conversations.

So, the Timberwolves are still one of the teams to watch in the James hunt. No team has landed him yet, despite the rumors about him being a done deal in Cleveland.