Instead, the Timberwolves were just an afterthought used to help shuffle money, players and draft picks around. When KD (essentially) refused to play in Minnesota, Connelly pivoted to plan B, which included new contracts for both Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but not Nickeil Alexander-Walker or depth bigs Luka Garza and Josh Minott.

Now up against the 2nd apron of the NBA Luxury Tax, the Timberwolves seem to be content with running things back in 2025-26, sans some extra playing time for the youngsters remaining on roster. Of course, nothing is guaranteed when Tim Connelly is running the show.

While the MN Timberwolves don’t have a lot of wiggle room to move around, they seem to be very active behind the scenes exploring what remains atop the guard market. Weeks ago, the Wolves were reportedly targeting a trade for Utah guard Collin Sexton, before he landed in Charlotte

Minnesota Timberwolves showing interest in Bradley Beal

Now, according to Jake Fischer and The Stine Line Substack, Connelly & Co are courting multiple available guards, including KD’s former teammate in Phoenix, Bradley Beal.

Some confirmed suitors for Beal include the LA Clippers — fresh off agreeing to trade Norman Powell to Miami in a three-team deal that will bring back Utah’s John Collins — as well as the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee and Minnesota.

Jake Fisher – The Stine Line Substack

Related: Kevin Garnett a Priority for New Timberwolves Owners

The Phoenix Suns are tearing things down and Bradley Beal is next up on the deconstruction to-do list. According to Fisher, the 32-year-old and the Suns are negotiating a buyout that would make him an unrestricted free agent, while at the same time, they continue to explore trade possibilities across the league.

Beal, a former No. 3 overall draft pick, has averaged 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists during his 13-year NBA career. But out of the 801 NBA games he has played in that time, last year was one of Beal’s toughest. He saw his minutes drop to 32.1 per game, his lowest since 2015-16. Along with his playing time, went his production.

The Bradley Beal revisionist history is nasty work

pic.twitter.com/OW5IF9Y7Nl

— 🦉 Lakers Vino (@VinoUncorked) July 7, 2025

From 2017-2023, Bradley Beal averaged 25.5 points on 35.7 minutes per night. In two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, those numbers dropped to 17.6 points and 32.7 minutes. Would those numbers improve when you pair him with Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Naz Reid? I’m not sure I see it.

Timberwolves also reportedly in on Malcolm Brogdon

Brogdon, meanwhile, is currently a member of the Washington Wizards. Fortunately. They too are actively looking to move the (also) 32-year-old via sign-and-trade. Once again, the Timberwolves were one of a handful of teams calling on the former 2nd round pick out of Virginia.

All of these scenarios, furthermore, are sure to have an impact on Brogdon. League sources say that the Wizards are open to sign-and-trade discussions to facilitate Brogdon’s exit and a slew of teams have registered varying levels of interest in the 32-year-old. That list includes the Clippers, Suns and Lakers as well as the Warriors, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Kings and Bucks.

Jake Fisher – The Stine Line Substack

Related: Big Names Highlight Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League Roster

Malcolm Brogdon is another guard seemingly on the career decline. After averaging 15.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game (28.7 MPG) during his first eight NBA seasons (through 2023-24), Brogdon’s numbers and floor time dropped off to 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game (23.5 MPG) in 2024-25.

As a fit for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brogdon would seem to make a lot more sense than Beal. Though, it is worth questioning whether or not Malcolm Brogdon would want to play here.

Malcolm Brogdon might one of the most underrated 6MOTY winners ever pic.twitter.com/p4ZEgpvK08

— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) September 20, 2024

It’s always possible key players from 2024-25 could be included in a sign-and-trade to land either Brogdon or Beal. But if not, would the latter really want to sit behind Mike Conley… who wouldn’t even be his biggest depth chart problem?

Remember, the Minnesota Timberwolves still have and believe in 2024 No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham, who has a big summer in front of him. It’s very plausible Dillingham is ready for more minutes. But if the Wolves bring in Brogdon, those minutes suddenly become much harder to find.

Nonetheless, the Wolves are undeniably doing their best to add more talent either at wing and/or point guard. What Tim Connelly finds out their vs what will make this team better… only time will tell.

Instead, it was full of plague and disease that infected the organization from from the inside-out and nearly sent the long-time desolate franchise into yet another tailspin of doom. Then, just 1.5 years after he arrived, Jimmy blasted off in search of warmer weather, leaving those who were there before him to cure the sickness he left.

Thankfully, one horrid season after Butler demanded his way out of town, Minnesota got the No. 1 pick and landed Anthony Edwards, which saved them from yet another bottoming out. And now, just a handful of years later, Jimmy Butler is forcing his way out of Miami, too.

"Jimmy Butler's gonna get traded." 😳 @WindhorstESPN says he's "more sure than ever" that the Miami Heat will trade Jimmy Butler and that teams could acquire him for a "relatively cheap" price. 👀 pic.twitter.com/WH0hBhHIgM

— First Take (@FirstTake) January 28, 2025

“Jimmy Butler is going to get traded. I wasn’t sure about that maybe seven to ten days ago. I really am more sure than ever that’s going to happen. The Heat are trying to make it happen. They have backed down on their ask to teams vs what they were two or three weeks ago, when this saga really started. They are willing to do more and I think there is really a chance now. More teams are going to wade in here, because the price on Butler is going to be lower, than just the Phoenix Suns, which is the way it’s been.”

Brian Windhorst – ESPN (First Take | 1-28-2025)

In case you haven’t heard, Butler has spent most of the past month either on the bench faking injuries, or suspended. This week, he returned to practice after a multi-game suspension. After being told he wasn’t going to start, he left team facilities and was suspended again. Now, the Heat are desperate to trade him.

Minnesota Timberwolves a team to watch in Jimmy Butler trade talks

This is where the (25-21) Minnesota Timberwolves come in. Jimmy Butler has a contract that is not very easy to move, especially given the circumstances. That means, they may have to swap him out with another player that isn’t as ‘wanted’ by his current team.

Enter Julius Randle, whose fit in Minnesota has been awkward since the moment he was acquired in a blockbuster deal for Karl-Anthony Towns late last offseason. Well, according to NBA insider Ian Begley (SNY), now that the Heat are more desperate to move their unhappy superstar, we need to “keep an eye on the Timberwolves in a Butler deal”.

According to reports, the Suns and/or Heat have talked to several teams about a three, four, or five-team deal involving Butler.

Keep an eye on Minnesota in a Butler deal. In the offseason, the Heat were one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Julius Randle, per SNY sources. Randle has remained on the Heat’s radar during the Butler saga, sources say.

Ian Begley – SNY

Before Minnesota Timberwolves fans panic, let me bring some logic to the conversation. We know Jimmy Butler wants to go to Phoenix, and the Suns would love to swap out Bradley Beal for Jimmy Butler. Unfortunately for the Heat, Beal isn’t keen on waiving his no-trade clause, in order to land in South Beach.

Related: Dear Jimmy Butler: F*** You

Thus, it’s unlikely Butler lands back in Minnesota, even if they are one of the teams involved in making this trade happen. It does seem very possible, however, that Bradley Beal may be willing to waive his no-trade, in order to land with the Timberwolves. The winter weather isn’t as nice here (most of the time)… but the basketball team is better.

Timberwolves involved in Butler trade talks

Begley goes on to say that he does not know if the MN Timberwolves are actively involved in talks right now with the Heat, but he does report that the two sides have been in contact regarding possible trade packages including Jimmy Butler.

I don’t know if there are any active trade talks between Minnesota and Miami. But the two teams have been in touch on Butler trades.

As we all know, the Suns want to acquire Butler. The deal is complicated by Bradley Beal‘s no-trade clause. Phoenix would have to send Beal out to acquire Butler via trade.

Ian Begley – SNY

On the season, Jimmy Butler is averaging 17 points per game, down from his career average of 18.3. With that being said, both his rebound (5.2 RPG) and assist (4.8 APG) numbers are on par with what he has provided throughout his career, and his 54% shooting is far above his career average of 47.2%.

Related: Rudy Gobert Nearly Struck by Falling Piece of Target Center

Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Bradley Beal’s numbers are down all around. His 16.9 points per game is down nearly five whole points from his career average (21.7 PPG). His rebounds (3.5 RPG) and assists (3.5 APG) are both down too. In Beal’s defense, however, he was down last year too, after arriving in Phoenix to be the final piece to the Kevin Durant + Devin Booker championship puzzle.

Suns fan kicked out of the game for yelling “Jimmy Butler” while Bradley Beal was shooting free throws.

Bradley Beal wife was spotted in the front row of the section per her Instagram account.

This was during the 4th quarter with 36 seconds left in the game. pic.twitter.com/AwabFPZTQD

— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) January 26, 2025

I’m not sure anyone wants to see Jimmy Butler back in a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform. But honestly, either he or Beal would be a better option for what the Wolves need than Julius Randle. That fit has not, and will not work.