The Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as a tough suitor to beat out the New Orleans Pelicans for the services of small forward Dante Cunningham, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Pelicans have been intent on re-signing Cunningham after netting the services of Jrue Holiday on a five-year deal and consequently Rajon Rondo after he was waived by the Chicago Bulls. While his numbers weren't eye-popping by any measure, the 6-foot-8 swingman shot a career-high 39.2 percent from deep — a skill they are in dire need of keeping with only mediocre three-point threats in the starting lineup.

Now making his living as a three-and-D option, the Villanova forward is one of the targets Tom Thibodeau and the Timberwolves' front office have been aggressively pursuing, hoping that he can fit into that mold they're hoping to fill with four remaining open spots in the roster.

New Orleans finds itself with the bare minimum to offer Cunningham, as it would only have another $1,000 before hitting the hard cap, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.

Minnesota has only minimum contracts to offer as well, but could offer a more successful playing situation, despite likely being deployed as a second-unit reserve. The 30-year-old only started shooting threes two seasons ago and it has proved to be his meal ticket in this era of the NBA, where defense and long-range accuracy are being rewarded more than ever.