MN Timberwolves Money Situation in Flux After Ayo Dosunmu Contract

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Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Timberwolves offseason got very, very interesting on Monday night, when news broke late that they were trading Julius Randle and the No. 28 overall pick in this week’s draft (tonight) to the Brooklyn Nets, in exchange for the No. 33 overall pick (2nd round).

It was a pure salary dump maneuver that cast a massive shadow of unrest over the organization and its fanbase regarding WTF Tim Connelly is trying to accomplish this offseason.

Timberwolves sign Ayo Dosunmu long-term

Then, about an hour or so after the Randle trade was announced, the MN Timberwolves inked Ayo Dosunmu to a rather large 5-year contract worth $112 million ($22.4 million per year).

There are a ton of questions that now need answered. Trading Julius opened up a $33 million trade exemption that Minnesota can use to absorb salary in any upcoming trade over the next 365 days, should they choose to.

What’s next for MN Timberwolves offseason?

In fact, according to Timberwolves insider and beat reporter Dane Moore, the Minnesota Timberwolves were $52 million under the 1st apron of the NBA Luxury Tax, after the Randle trade. The Dosunmu contract likely takes up $19ish million, bringing their available space under the apron to $32.5 million.

So, here is where things get complicated, and I’d like to thank Dane Moore for mapping this exact offseason scenario out last month, during his podcast, making everyone’s life existentially easier this morning, as fans and media alike attempt to wrap their brains around what happened Monday night.

Technically, the Minnesota Timberwolves could make a trade where they absorb up to $33 million. However, using Randle’s trade exception would lock them under the first apron of the luxury tax going forward, limiting flexibility to make more moves this offseason or before the trade deadline.

Trading for another star will cost Minnesota Rudy Gobert

For different reasons, according to Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic), the Wolves are not trying to trade for Ja Morant or Kyrie Irving. But if Dallas changes its tune on dealing Kyrie or Minnesota gains interest in Ja, Randle’s trade exception isn’t enough to absorb either player’s salary.

Per Moore, the Wolves would have to send Rudy Gobert out in any deal for that caliber (salary) of player. It’s important to note that any trade involving Gobert or another salary match, Minnesota would keep their ability to go over the 1st apron, since they wouldn’t be using Randle’s trade exception.

To add a player in a trade that makes more than $33M (Irving or Morant), the Wolves would need to use Gobert as the matching salary — and would not be hard-capped at the 1st apron.

Dane Moore – @DaneMooreNBA (Tweet Above)

The Timberwolves also have a $15 million mid-level exception they can use to sign more talent, now that they are under the 1st apron. However, using it would lock them under that 1st apron, just like triggering Randle’s $33 million trade exception would.

Tim Connelly better have something up his sleeve…

Connelly’s tenure as Wolves president of basketball operations includes two West Finals runs. However, those rosters were mostly constructed by former PoBO, Gersson Rosas.

Waking up Tuesday morning, Tim’s legacy in Minnesota is turning sour. Objectively speaking, he came in and dealt a bunch of high-quality future assets for Rudy Gobert, then a year later dealt Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

Related: Timberwolves Circled Back on Giannis Trade Talks This Week

After dumping Randle’s salary, the KAT trade netted Tim Connelly… DiVincenzo, who will miss most of 2026-27 with an achilles tear. Obviously, the hope is that Tim still has something up his sleeve, and that Monday’s moves were just the beginning of something bigger.

So… cross your fingers and pray because all we can do is trust that this is all part of a bigger grand scheme we aren’t yet privy to.

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