MN Timberwolves Let Promising Young Bigs Walk

The NBA Draft is in the rearview mirror. The Minnesota Timberwolves used their two selections on two 18-year-old big men, Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarski. Days later, they spent money on extensions for both Naz Reid and Julius Randle.

With president of basketball operations Tim Connelly adding and retaining four post players in the last week, the Wolves decided it was time to let two of their young depth bigs hit the open market.

Luka Garza and Josh Minott have Minnesota Timberwolves options declined

The Minnesota Timberwolves are up against the second apron when it comes to luxury tax implications for 2025-26 season. That’s part of the reason that expectations are for Nickeil Alexander-Walker to move on. Luka Garza and Josh Minott weren’t necessarily on the radar, but they’re now on the way out.

Garza could still return to the Wolves as well. Technically the wolves have the taxpayer MLE available to them, but it’s REALLY close. Will see how it all shakes out

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 29, 2025

As The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski points out, it’s possible that the MN Timberwolves bring Garza back with a mid-level exception. That isn’t exactly straightforward though, considering Minnesota still needs to spend on other areas of the roster.

Related: Former Timberwolves Guard Being Investigated for Betting on NBA Games

Luka Garza is something of a fan-favorite considering he hails from Iowa. After playing for the Pistons as a rookie, Garza has spent three seasons with the Timberwolves. He never averaged more than 8.7 minutes per game, and his 3.5 points per game last season were a career-low.

Luka Garza one-legged fadeaway jumper pic.twitter.com/Kwi2lamfSW

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) May 25, 2025

Head coach Chris Finch didn’t routinely put Garza on the floor, but he did show some flashes during limited stretches. It’s unfortunate the Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t keeping him around on such a minimal contract, but that’s what happens when you’re up against the 2nd apron for the second-straight season, like the Wolves are.

What will Timberwolves lose with Minott, Garza departures?

Josh Minott has been more hype than production pretty much since the moment Minnesota selected him in the 2nd round of the 2022 NBA Draft. as was expected with his raw profile.

In his third year with the Timberwolves, the former Memphis big man averaged 22 points and 6.3 rebounds per game down in Iowa, along with 2.6 points in 6.0 minutes per game in the NBA. Without a doubt, both Garza and Minott will have NBA opportunities on the open market.

The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski even left the door open for a possible Luka Garza return (on the mid-level exception), though that sounds unlikely. While the Wolves may now be on the lookout for a veteran post to stash on the end of the bench, it doesn’t sound like Garza will be that guy.

Garza could still return to the Wolves as well. Technically the wolves have the taxpayer MLE available to them, but it’s REALLY close. Will see how it all shakes out

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 29, 2025

Now entering the meat of the National Basketball Association offseason, Minnesota is still in need of another ball handler and/or wing scorer to help ease the offensive weight on Anthony Edwards’ shoulders. But after they paid Naz and Randle, they don’t really have money to do either.

Free agency officially begins on Monday June 30 at 5pm central time, though deals cannot be officially signed until July 6th. As expected for a while, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will join Luka Garza and Josh Minott as Minnesota Timberwolves who will be swimming in that rather shallow 2025 NBA free agency pool.