The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to take the next step in 2025-26. There’s a lot to be excited about. The growth of Anthony Edwards (Ant), Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid. Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. will have increased roles. Rookie Joan Beringer will bring new life to the center position.
However, the Wolves should also include Jaylen Clark in the rotation. However, head coach Chris Finch has typically had a rigid eight- to nine-man rotation.
While we should expect him to play up to 10 players, there’s a good reason why Clark will play as the 11th man.
Here’s why Clark should still have a role.
Keep the starting 5 the same, but use them less
Expect Ant (36.3) and McDaniels (31.9) to play similar minutes next season. Both of them are under 24 years old and are entering their prime. However, Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley are over 30 years old, and they’ve suffered injuries.
Randle (32.3), Gobert (33.2), and Conley (24.7) shouldn’t exceed 25 minutes a night except for in extenuating circumstances.
In 2017-18, Randle averaged 26.7 minutes and started 49 games for the Los Angeles Lakers. Randle won’t have to worry about playing center thanks to Rudy, Naz, and Beringer.
Randle averaged a 3-point percentage (3P%) of 22.2%, but expect that to improve with age and experience.
Finch can play Naz more minutes at power forward to give Randle some rest. Randle was healthy with the Lakers, and the Wolves need that version of him.
In the 2018-19 season, Rudy started in every game, averaging 31.8 minutes per game in 81 games played. Finch shouldn’t take Gobert, 33, out of the starting lineup, but should consider resting him and playing Naz and Beringer more. Therefore, they should consider playing Clark some of Rudy’s minutes.
When Rudy isn’t playing, perhaps the team should consider playing Naz, Beringer, and Clark together. This is how Finch can maximize his defense while recharging Rudy. Wolves can benefit from a recharged Conley as well.
The 2012-13 version of Conley no longer exists, but he can still play up to 80 games per season. The Wolves will need Conley to maintain a 3-point percentage of 36% or better. Also, his 2P% (38) will need to improve. Can he get back to at least 40%? With Rob getting more minutes, Conley should be maximized.
Clark finished first in shooting and top-5 in steals in a small role
Why did Finch refuse to play Clark for more than 13 minutes? Clark doesn’t bring a flashy game, but he knows how to get the job done. He averaged 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. Of course, Finch wanted more from him.
In that small sample, he finished 3rd in 3P% with 43.1%. PJ Dozier and Bones Hyland barely played impactful minutes. So Clark was 1st, which included being ahead of Ant, who made the most 3-point shots.
Clark (46.7) had a better shooting percentage than Naz (46.2), Ant (44.7), Rob (44.1), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (43.8), Donte DiVincenzo (42.2), and Conley (40) when it came to field goal percentage (FG%). Sure, Clark spent some of his minutes during garbage time, but he still made shots. You can also credit that to steals. Clark produced 0.9 steals, or a steal per game. Clark did slightly better than Rudy, Randle, Naz, and NAW.
Joan Beringer is still very raw
Beringer has been getting much-deserved hype, with people calling him the steal of the 2025 draft. However, we must temper expectations. Beringer will likely play spot minutes, similar to Clark’s role last year. He began playing the sport in 2021 and has yet to fully develop his physical frame (6’11”, 230 lbs.). Beringer is a center, unlike Clark, and might play up to 15 minutes.
Clark should still get minutes with a mix of Naz, McDaniels, and Rudy when Beringer isn’t playing. Expect Finch to use Naz as a center before he plays Beringer. Clark deserves to be elevated from rookie status.
Donte DiVincenzo is streaky
DiVincenzo established himself as a fan favorite when he fought Ron Holland and the Detroit Pistons. When DiVincenzo gives the Wolves a boost, the team is maximized. However, he can go ice cold when the team is struggling through bad stretches.
Instead of Finch waiting for DiVincenzo to get back into a rhythm, he should use those minutes to play Clark. He provides a more complete game that the Wolves must use. Finch shouldn’t always rely on high productivity from DiVincenzo.
Units (doesn’t have to be used in order)
Unit 1
- Starting five: Ant – Randle – McDaniels – Rudy – Conley
- Bench: Naz – Rob – TJ – DiVincenzo
- Rotation: Clark – Beringer
Unit 2
- Starting five: Ant – Beringer – Naz – DiVincenzo – Rob
- Bench: Clark – Rudy – McDaniels – Randle
- Rotation: Conley – Rudy
Unit 3
- Starting five: TJ – Naz – DiVincenzo – Clark – Rob
- Bench: Beringer – Ant – Randle – McDaniels
- Rotation: Conley – Rudy
Unit 4
- Starting five: TJ – McDaniels – Beringer – Clark – Conley
- Bench: Randle – Rudy – Rob – Ant
- Rotation: DiVincenzo – Naz
Unit 5
- Starting five: Ant – McDaniels – Randle – Rudy – Naz
- Bench: Rob – TJ – DiVincenzo – Conley
- Rotation: Clark – Beringer
As you can see, each player is on at least two units except for Ant, McDaniels, and Naz. These 3 are under 25 years old, and youth legs need to be used. We still see DiVincenzo potentially having a bounce-back season due to chemistry with Rob.
However, don’t count out Clark, who can provide Rob with more stability when needed.
Randle is the team’s most valuable power forward. It’s essential to keep him available throughout the entire season. Clark, T.J., and Beringer can benefit from Randle’s reduced minutes. We’ve seen Randle at his worst when he’s not producing, turning the ball over, and not being reliable on defense. So, Finch needs to play Randle at his best, which means playing him less.
The Wolves can get more out of Clark and Beringer, respectively, if Finch doesn’t overplay Randle, Rudy, Naz, DiVincenzo, and Conley. Finch should embrace the youth he has to maximize his team. He shouldn’t have to rely on playing Randle and Rudy over 30 minutes. He will be able to give Clark minutes when Beringer struggles to adjust.
Can Clark eventually be Minnesota’s version of Jalen Williams? If the Wolves want to unlock more upside in Clark, then Finch needs to show faith in him.