Early this month, LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, mentioned in the “Game Over” podcast that the Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams in the running for the four-time MVP’s signature.
Although the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly the frontrunners to land James, the Timberwolves could still pull off a surprise.
According to an NBA analyst, if James wants to chase his fifth championship, taking his talents to Minnesota should be his best move.
NBA Analyst Identifies Timberwolves as LeBron James’ Best Route to Title No. 5
The Timberwolves revamped their roster after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semis. They traded Naz Reid and Julius Randle to get LaMelo Ball and other reinforcements.
Minnesota also re-signed Ayo Dosunmu after the combo guard played well above expectations this past season.
Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said on Tuesday that their best pitch for James in free agency is the team’s lineup.
NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor couldn’t agree more with Connelly.
“The Timberwolves are the best basketball fit for LeBron James. That’s a filthy 10-man rotation. Everyone in the rotation besides the centers can create their own shot. They’d basically be upgrading Conley with LaMelo and Randle with LeBron,” O’Connor tweeted on Tuesday.
The Timberwolves are the best basketball fit for LeBron James.
C: Gobert / Beringer
F: LeBron / Green
F: McDaniels / Shannon
G: Edwards / Dosunmu
G: LaMelo / HylandThat’s a filthy 10-man rotation. Everyone in the rotation besides the centers can create their own shot. They’d… https://t.co/oKqO4GJdKG
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) July 14, 2026
“With Zikarsky, Evans, Clark, and Pullin as young depth pieces and a possible DDV return late in the year, they’d also have a deep bench,”
O’Connor doubled down on that point when he answered his mailbag on the same day.
“The best fit and most obvious destination, in my opinion, is the Minnesota Timberwolves. But for LeBron James, he might not want to live in Minnesota, so that’s a whole lot of different conversation about where LeBron wants to live and where he wants to take his talents,” O’Connor said.
Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert are guaranteed starters. James could nicely fit into the No. 4 spot that former All-Star Randle left. The bench would be Bones Hyland, Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr., Josh Green, and Joan Beringer.
Donte DiVincenzo could still return from a right Achilles tendon injury to add firepower to the bench. The Timberwolves would also have no trouble shopping him around if trading him is the best option. DiVincenzo’s expiring $12.5 million contract makes him a coveted trade bait.
In his mailbag, O’Connor also predicted Beringer to be the top breakout star in the coming 2026-27 season. If the 19-year-old takes a leap, Minnesota’s ceiling will only go up.
Minnesota gave San Antonio fits, even with Edwards and Dosunmu dealing with injuries and DiVincenzo missing the series.
After major offseason moves and potential development from young players, O’Connor sees the Timberwolves as the best free-agency destination for the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
