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NBA free agency 2016: 5 targets for Timberwolves

By Cody Williams

Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) warms up before game six of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) warms up before game six of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Harrison Barnes

Perhaps the most divisive figure in free agency this year is Harrison Barnes. While he’s been a great role player for the most part over the past few years with the Golden State Warriors, he’s now expected to command something close to a max contract in free agency. While that’s the name of the game in terms of a player with his physical tools and talents trying to make the leap from role player to max-contract type player, that transition could work out poorly if he goes into the wrong situation.

However, the Timberwolves could be the exact right situation for Barnes to come into. Not only do they have the cap room to afford signing him to a max contract, but Minnesota is a place where he would slot into effortlessly and where he wouldn’t immediately be expected to be a star in their system. He could simply slot into a position of need and be another young piece to add to the core that’s already growing together.

Barnes is the type of two-way player that would fit right into what the Wolves like to do in addition to giving them the offensive threat from the perimeter that the Timberwolves so desperately need to add to their roster. If you ask me, Minny could be a dark-horse race for the Warriors forward—assuming Golden State isn’t planning on matching any offer sheet that Barnes signs, of course.

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