Timberwolves Unleash Chaotic New Starting Lineup Featuring LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga

The Timberwolves are rolling out a starting five that looks like it was drafted by a teenager playing 2K with the trade override turned on. Underdog NBA reports Minnesota will start LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, and Rudy Gobert on Friday.

That is a staggering amount of length and transition athleticism packed into one unit. It is also a group with exactly one guy who knows what to do when a half-court possession breaks down and the shot clock hits four seconds.

Minnesota is carrying some real momentum into this matchup. They just handled the Houston Rockets 117-107 on November 5 and took down the Milwaukee Bucks 112-100 earlier in the week.

But throwing this specific combination on the floor against the New Orleans Pelicans is a fascinating experiment in spacing. You have Ball throwing 80-foot outlet passes, Kuminga trying to dunk through traffic, and Gobert just hoping someone remembers to feed him in the pick-and-roll.

For anyone staring at the betting board, figuring out the usage rate in this group is basically a blind guess. Ball is the obvious engine, but Dosunmu and McDaniels are going to have to hit open shots to keep the paint clear for Kuminga and Gobert to operate.

We will find out quickly if this five-man unit can actually defend the perimeter or if they just plan to outrun New Orleans. If the experiment works, Minnesota might have found a terrifying new identity. If it fails, expect another lineup shuffle before they host the Utah Jazz on Sunday.