The Minnesota Timberwolves were on their way to missing the playoffs for the 15th time in the last 16 years during the 2019-20 season. The team had a 19-45 record before the campaign was suspended due to COVID-19.
Despite the Timberwolves' awful record, the franchise was able to make a big splash when they acquired All-Star point guard D'Angelo Russell from the Golden State Warriors. Minnesota also got Malik Beasley from the Denver Nuggets and dealt Andrew Wiggins, Robert Covington, and Jeff Teague.
Nothing is set in stone since the Timberwolves could end up firing head coach Ryan Saunders, but Minnesota's starting lineup for whenever the 2020-21 season starts will probably feature Russell, Beasley, Josh Okogie, Jake Layman and Karl-Anthony Towns.
For that starting lineup to take the floor though, the Timberwolves have to re-sign Beasley this offseason. The swingman becomes a restricted free agent once Minnesota offers him his qualifying offer worth $3.9 million.
As a restricted free agent, Beasley can sign an offer sheet with another team if he wants, and then the Timberwolves would have 48 hours to match it or let him walk. The 23-year-old averaged 22.5 points in 14 games with Minnesota before the season was suspended. He shot 42.6 percent from beyond the arc as well, making him the perfect perimeter shooter and defender to pair next to Russell and Towns.
The Timberwolves shouldn't even let Beasley speak to other teams. The front office, led by Gersson Rosas, should have a contract ready for Beasley to sign as soon as the free agency period starts.
Rosas can't low-ball Beasley because there is going to be a bevy of teams that will offer him close to what he wants. Malik reportedly turned down a three-year, $30 million deal with the Nuggets before the 2019-20 season began.
The Timberwolves envision a backcourt of Russell and Beasley providing a sound dynamic, but it's going to cost them. Russell is due $28.6 million next season and it appears Beasley's price tag will be around the $50 million range.
Beasley’s scoring, shooting, and defensive abilities are undeniable. The Timberwolves can't afford to lose him because he's another young player they can have under team control for a while and develop.
Ideally, Minnesota wants to build its organization around Towns, Russell, Beasley, Jarrett Culver, and Okogie.
