Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was asked in early March who would take charge in the team’s attempt to finally be the best version of itself on a night-to-night basis.

The coach noted Minnesota needed “a little bit of a galvanizer.”

Anthony Edwards? Julius Randle? Mike Conley?

Not quite.

“Joe Ingles has been really good,” Finch said. “He’s kind of been a galvanizing voice for us right now.”

Ingles hardly saw the floor last season after signing with Minnesota in the summer of 2024 — a side effect of Minnesota acquiring Donte DiVincenzo via trade on the eve of training camp.

But Ingles didn’t complain and led from off the floor. During the playoffs, Wolves point guard Conley noted he and the 37-year-old wing were instructing their younger teammates at every turn, whenever they say something worth noting.

“We communicate it immediately. It’s not something we wait for the film to say. If I need Ant to do something, I tell him right away, like, ‘You said we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it,’ ” Conley said. “If I’m getting back on defense and guarding a big, I need our bigs to run back and help. We need to all be on the same page. We’re tied to the hip right now. Our communication is at an all-time high. So, we’ve just got to continue to do that.”That communication and veteran leadership will remain intact next season, as a source confirmed that Minnesota has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with Ingles.

It’s a veteran minimum contract that will count at $2.2 million against the Timberwolves’ ever-shrinking salary cap space below the dreaded second apron that would severely limit their ability to manage the roster. Minnesota still has two roster spots open, and could fill one or both with the less than $6 million remaining it has in room.

Free agency officially began Monday evening.

Minnesota entered it with most of its core back from the 2024-25 campaign that reached into a second consecutive Western Conference Final. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the only rotational piece to depart. He reportedly agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with Atlanta, who a source said will send a future second-round pick — ESPN reported it’s Cleveland’s second rounder in 2027 — and cash to the Timberwolves as part of a sign-and-trade deal.

Alexander-Walker was one of the prized players in this year’s free-agent class after establishing himself as a legitimate two-way guard during his ascension over the past two-plus years in Minnesota.

Gone also is Luka Garza, who reportedly agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million deal with Boston. Garza should get an opportunity to see legitimate minutes for the Celtics — something that never occurred in Minnesota — after Boston lost center Luke Kornet to San Antonio on Monday.

Minnesota declined Garza’s team option for the upcoming season on Sunday, which sent the Iowa alum to free agency.

In other signings with local ties, Apple Valley product Tyus Jones reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with Orlando, where he’ll join forces with St. Paul’s Jalen Suggs, and Tre Jones reportedly agreed to re-sign with Chicago on a three-year, $24 million deal.

Garza and Alexander-Walker were consummate professionals who set examples within the Wolves’ locker room as to the benefits of consistent approach.

The plan is for Alexander-Walker’s role to be replaced by a bevy of young guards and wings ranging from Terrence Shannon Jr. to Jaylen Clark and Rob Dillingham.

Helping those guys grow into their likely growing roles? Ingles.

“He’s been everything for us in terms of maturity. He’s helped all the young guys. He’s helped the vets,” Finch said last season. “Everyone always talks about (how) you have to have the vets on your team to help everybody, but the dirty little secret is a lot of vets you may not want to be on your team. They’re trying to hang on to their career. They’re salty, they’re selfish. There are a lot of things. Not all vets are created the same.

“But with Joe, we’ve got an all-star in that capacity. He’s just selfless, direct, has the right approach, the right manner. He’s helped everybody from Rob Dillingham to Rudy. He can talk to Rudy, and Rudy has great respect for him, and it just helps. He’s been seamless and invaluable.”

And he’s not going anywhere.