Timberwolves Low on Free Agent Funds; Offering Something Else…
The Minnesota Timberwolves have already made their big blockbuster swing this offseason, a trade for LaMelo Ball that cannot be made official until the start of the new league year later this week, but is already drawing heavy criticism around NBA circles.
Unfortunately, they still have major holes to fill on this roster, especially at starting power forward. That could prove difficult, of course, since they have very little money to spend.
Timberwolves can’t offer much money to free agents..
The Wolves, however, are trying to spin their money/luxury tax issues into a positive… with a little help from their friend over at The Athletic, Jon Krawczynski.
Monday afternoon, Jon tweeted that — while the MN Timberwolves may not be able to offer potential free agents as much money as some other teams — they can offer something else.
Opportunity… which presumably means playing time.
Wolves have very little to spend on a PF. What they do have to offer is opportunity. That should be enticing for a player who needs to bet on himself for a year.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 29, 2026
Wolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly does have levers available to him, if he needs to clear space, one of which he pulled Monday when Minnesota declined the team option for Julian Phillips, which saved over $2 million.
Related: Bill Simmons REALLY Hates LaMelo Ball Trade for Timberwolves
The MN Timberwolves also have their mid-level exception available, though using that lever would lock them under the first apron of the salary cap, making additional moves to round out the roster even more difficult.
Thus, if they are going to add in free agency — they’re going to need competent veteran talent willing to play on the league minimum, even if they could get more money elsewhere.
Another trade seems more viable… if ownership is willing to pay for it
Minnesota’s other option is to successfully clean up some potential scraps leftover this week, before all of the players, picks and money being swapped around the league becomes official.
Quite the list of PFs piling up in Memphis…
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) June 29, 2026
Cam Boozer
Karim Lopez
Isaiah Stewart
Jerami Grant
Santi Aldama
GG Jackson
Taylor Hendricks
Kris Murray
And the Wolves are in need of a PF. @brittrobson threw out Aldama as a potential PF option for the Wolves on today's show… https://t.co/GelIezQs9B pic.twitter.com/78M1j1rSyG
Related: MN Timberwolves Eyeing Toronto Big Man
It seems quite plausible a starting-caliber big man shakes loose from all these transactions for nothing more than a willingness to take on salary. Look no further than the Julius Randle trade.
Not only did the Nets get Randle for nothing, but they actually moved up the draft board in the process. Obviously, the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot take on a salary as large as Julius’, but anything under $20 million would seem viable.
If that happens, will the Wolves pounce? Doing so would cost the new owners a lot more cash at the end of the season than if they were to use the MLE, since it would cap spending under the first apron.
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