What happened: Jaden McDaniels is unlikely to slide into a starting power forward role for Minnesota now that LeBron James has signed elsewhere, according to Jon Krawczynski. Coach Chris Finch instead prefers McDaniels at small forward, the same Finch who had said Minnesota was still alive in the LeBron chase. Finch has indicated to Lyles that he could have a "big role" next season, framing it as a chance to start after a year out.
Why it matters: Minnesota gutted its power forward depth to land LaMelo Ball, sending Julius Randle to Brooklyn and Naz Reid to Charlotte, and the James pursuit was partly aimed at filling that hole. With James signing with Philadelphia instead, the Wolves head into camp still searching for answers up front behind Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards.
By the numbers: Minnesota's payroll sits near the $221.7 million second-apron threshold after adding Ball's $41 million salary, limiting Tim Connelly's options to address the frontcourt.
What to watch: Watch training camp for how Finch divides power forward minutes and whether Lyles claims the expanded role he flagged.