Fresh off reaching their second consecutive Western Conference Finals, the now-eliminated Timberwolves have some interesting questions to answer this summer. Mark Deeks of HoopsHype and Bobby Marks of ESPN explore several of those questions in their respective offseason previews for the team.
Deeks notes that, provided big men Julius Randle and Naz Reid both pick up their player options, the Timberwolves will have seven players drawing eight-figure salaries. Deeks believes that all of the current players under contract are earning solid deals relative to their on-court value. That said, he posits that a trade is likely if Randle picks up his option.
While Deeks notes that Reid could be signed to a contract extension following the draft, he seems likely to earn more if he declines his option and hits free agency.
Marks observes that a limited free agent market could compel both players to opt in to their deals, and notes that almost half of the NBA’s teams could have major cap room in 2026.
According to Marks, the growth of rookie wing Terrence Shannon Jr. might make another Minnesota free agent, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, expendable. With 16 clubs projected to have the ability to offer Alexander-Walker the $14.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, his future in Minnesota looks more tenuous.
There’s more out of Minnesota:
- The 30-point blowout loss to Oklahoma City that ended the Timberwolves’ season could obscure what was otherwise an exciting 2024/25 run, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “Once that buzzer sounds and you’re just able to feel everything, it hurts,” Randle said. “It hurts. So, really, that’s where I’m at right now. It’s almost like a grieving stage of the season and it hurts, really. But we’ll be back.” After trading five-time All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for a package headlined by Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the Timberwolves’ ability to return to the West Finals was in doubt. However, Randle shined in the first two rounds of the playoffs, averaging 23.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG and 5.9 APG and submitting a strong defensive effort. The bloom came off the rose against the Thunder, when the 6’9″ vet averaged 17.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 3.0 APG. Center Rudy Gobert‘s offensive limitations were also exposed against the Thunder throughout the series. He was limited to just two points in 19 minutes of action during Game 5.
- Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, 37 and in his 18th season, has been eliminated in three conference finals over the course of his career. The former All-Star conceded that missing out on his first-ever NBA Finals appearance yet again was painful, writes Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “When I was walking off the floor I was thinking, ‘Not again,’” Conley told Spears. “I know how hard it is. It hurts a lot. I wanted it so bad. I wanted it for these guys.”
- After a disappointing Game 5 performance, three-time All-NBA Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards expressed confidence that he would return to a big postseason stage soon, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I’m 23,” Edwards said. “I get to do it a whole bunch of times. I’m hurt more so for Mike. I came up short for Mike. We tried last year, we couldn’t get it. We tried again this year. We’ll try again next year.”
- Timberwolves stars Randle, Reid and Alexander-Walker all discussed their potential impending free agencies following their official elimination, writes Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. Reid suggested that he would likely decline his option and hit unrestricted free agency, looking for a long-term deal either with the Timberwolves or another team. “I think the work has been put in,” Reid said. “Obviously, I’ve got a long way to go with being only 25, but for sure. I think that’s what the future looks like for me.” Although Reid considers himself a starting-level player, he is apparently open to remaining a reserve in Minnesota. Randle and Alexander-Walker claimed to not have though much about their offseason decisions yet.
Clippers and Nuggets are better teams than Wolves
Mavs are easy to upgrade
It’s possible that Wolves are knocked out first round playoffs next year
Wolves have beat the nuggets in 7 straight
Trade Randle, Donte and Dillingham for a younger better PF and a backup PG who is ready.
Easy
Minny has over 40 mill in expiring money. In Randle and Conley. Can make a play for KD or hit on their two picks. Minny will be ok. As long as they do this right.
Durant is going to be 37 and has only played 70 plus games twice in the past 10 seasons.
Only a fool would think he’s the missing piece at this point in his career.
Whole lotta fools out there then… myself included.
Durant can definitely be a missing link for several teams, for another year or two.
If healthy, he’s still one of the flat-out best scorers in the WORLD.
I don’t care if Durant misses a lot of regular season games as long as he helps you win 16 in the playoffs that’s all that really matters.
Well AE is your fool then. Cause he loves KD. Bron is going to be 41. No one has issues with that. KD is not their only play.
Alexander-Walker would be a great pickup..for a lot of teams… Wolves need to get rid of Randle…Towns was not the best fit and did have downside, but getting Randle back was a joke….
Replace Randle and Conley for sure.
I would let NAW walk but if they’re putting all their eggs in one basket on TSJ then uh-oh. They need a Siakam type PF to play along side Edwards. Randle might be the most ball dominant PF outside of Zion in the NBA right now. Wolves are good but they need someone to get in Edwards’ face when things are tough, nobody on that team has that in their DNA including Conley. They need a James Johnson type guy who commands the locker room and can call out Ant Man when he’s playing awful and disinterested.
Well we got our asses handed to us by OKC. As for next year, i agree that Randle, Conley need to go. Handing the reigns to Dillingham is a risky proposition, picking up a local kid like Jones would be a good move till he is ready. Re sign Naz to start a PF should be a priority as well as keeping Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Starting five of : Gobert, Reid, Mcdaniels, Ant and Jones.
Bench of : Walker, Terrence Shannon, Jr., Donte DiVincenzo, Rob Dillingham, Jaylen Clark, Luka Garza, Josh Minott, Leonard Miller.
Adding a PF/C who rebounds and plays D would nicely complete this roster.
Possible draft pick : Khaman Maluach
We need to draft potential replacements for both with the 2 picks in the top 31. A big who can play defense and actually shoot, and a shooting guard who’s at least 40% from 3.
Gobert isn’t worth what he’s making!