Minnesota rebuilt its backcourt around LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, leaving the frontcourt as the group that still needs help.
Minnesota's roster now leans heavily toward its guards, which makes that group the easy choice for first place.
LaMelo Ball gives the Timberwolves a true passer who can start the offense without asking Anthony Edwards to create every good shot, while Ayo Dosunmu can handle either guard spot and defend stronger players.
That mix should help Edwards save energy for the possessions that decide games.
It also gives coach Chris Finch several ways to finish close games, since Ball can run the offense while Edwards attacks a moving defense instead of seeing two defenders waiting for him.
The ranking gets harder after the backcourt because Minnesota has useful players in every group, though each one comes with a clear limit.
The wings can defend, the centers have a proven starter and the forward depth still looks thin against larger Western Conference teams.
The Guards
Edwards averaged 28.8 points while shooting 39.9 percent from three last season, and Ball brought 20.1 points with 7.1 assists before the trade.
Those numbers tell part of the story because their styles fit together in a way Minnesota rarely enjoyed with its old roster.
Ball looks for early passes and unusual angles, which can pull a defense apart before Edwards gets the ball.
Minnesota chose Ball after considering another major guard trade, and the final choice gave the team a younger lead guard without moving Rudy Gobert.
Dosunmu makes the group deeper because he can play beside either star.
His strong finish after arriving in Minnesota showed that he can score without taking over the offense, and his size should help cover some of Ball's defensive problems.
The Wings
Jaden McDaniels still gives Minnesota a defender who can take the hardest wing matchup, while Josh Green and Terrence Shannon Jr. bring speed and energy.
The group has useful players, though it doesn't have much proven shooting behind McDaniels, and that could make some lineups feel tight around Gobert.
Minnesota spent much of the summer protecting its guard depth, including the decision to keep Dosunmu after other teams showed interest in him.
That choice makes sense, but it also left fewer ways to add a bigger forward who can shoot and rebound.
The Bigs Need Another Option
Gobert keeps the centers from ranking last by himself, and his screening should work well with Ball's passing and 7.1 assists per game.
Joan Beringer has promise behind him, but Minnesota is asking a young player to cover an important role after Naz Reid left in the Ball trade.
The weakest area is clearly the power forward spot, where McDaniels may have to play bigger than his natural role.
A strong rebounder who can make an open three would give Finch cleaner choices against large teams and keep Gobert near the rim.
Minnesota can win with this roster, though one more dependable forward would make every other position group easier to use.
A forward willing to screen, defend and stay ready in the corner would fit beside the guards and help Minnesota when Gobert rests against playoff defenses.
