In other words, Wolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and the rest of the organization turned their focus to the 2025-26 season a while ago.

Yet, if this offseason was one of 10,000+ lakes in the state of Minnesota on a hot summer day, an already sunburnt Chris Finch would still be stuck at the boat landing, holding onto the dock.

Meanwhile, his PoBO has been sitting with the key in the ignition for what feels like hours, going through all of his phone contacts trying ever-more desperately to figure out where this franchise wants to go and what exactly it is they are trying to accomplish on the NBA offseason lake this summer.

Minnesota Timberwolves fail to reel in Kevin Durant

Of course we all know why the Wolves’ boat is still stuck at GO. Because the first thing on Connelly’s itinerary was some serious big game fishing out near the rocky, desert-like beaches of Phoenix Suns Bay, specifically in search for one elusive trophy he’s been chasing since last trade deadline — Kevin Durant.

Unfortunately, Tim never figured out exactly where in those waters KD was located, or even what bait may get him to bite. And now, another team has beat him to his trophy, according to Shams Charania (ESPN).

Late Sunday morning, the stars aligned for the Houston Rockets who finally reeled in Durant, unloading Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 overall pick in next week’s NBA Draft, in order to fit KD into their live well.

BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/EwrbA2ES9O

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2025

At the end of the day, no matter how hard you try or how desperate you might be, it’s tough to catch something that seemingly wants nothing to do with every jig, minnow and wax worm you tie on the end of your line.

As bad as the Minnesota Timberwolves wanted Kevin Durant to get them over their WCF hump, the interest was not mutual. So now that he has been landed by another boat, maybe we’ll learn more about why KD did everything within his power to avoid Minnesota, which in case you haven’t heard, freezes over the winter.

Related: Anthony Edwards Not Helping Timberwolves Woo Kevin Durant

The good news about today’s ending to this latest KD trade saga is that, whether he likes it or not, Tim Connelly can now start up the Timberwolves’ offseason motor and get this boat heading in the right direction, even if Finchy is already half-burnt and ready to go back to shore, where a Julius Randle extension is waiting for them.

The energy on both sides of the ball was outstanding. Those of us who watched preseason games saw it then, and that inertia has certainly carried into the regular season. For one game, at least.

Look, nobody (and I mean nobody) expects the Minnesota Timberwolves to win the 2021-22 NBA Finals, but… we’re seeing real growth.

And something about this Wolves team feels different. The talent, the energy, the comradery, the will to win? From the big three of KAT, DLo and Edwards (who scored a combined 81 points vs Houston) down to the end of the bench, everyone’s accepted a role and seems to be moving in the same direction. Which we all hope is the playoffs.

Yes https://t.co/qeJGCx5hnJ pic.twitter.com/l77XV5Odtg

— Cooper (@CoopCarlson) October 21, 2021

Big 3 Comes Up Big

Outside of new ownership partners and front office scandals, a lot of this past offseason for the Timberwolves was focused on making a splash addition via trade or free agency. That made sense given the names being thrown around. Ben Simmons and Myles Turner would have exponentially accelerated the growth chart for this young, budding team.

But instead of making any noteworthy external additions, the Wolves focused on developing their own players. That started with the big three they already have one roster. Improved efficiency on offense paired with more awareness and effort on defense is what Chris Finch was looking for.

And we’re seeing buy-in and improvement in all four categories, which paid them off in the box score. Edwards and Towns took over the first half, setting Russell up to close things out to bury Houson in the second half. Everyone on roster got to play and every player scored. But nobody outside of KAT, DLo and Ant had over 6 points.

a great way to start the season. ????

KAT – 30 pts. / 10 reb. / 2 blk.
Ant – 29 pts. / 6 reb. / 3 ast.
DLo – 22 pts. / 7 ast. / 3 reb. pic.twitter.com/rtvlpVyzTe

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 21, 2021

The potential for this trio on offense is through the roof. Towns is one of the best shooting big men of all time, Edwards has developed into a true scorer from every level and Russell dictates the pace and energy. Defensively, these guys are never going to be elite. But that doesn’t mean they have to be a detriment.

If they can just play defense with consistent energy and focus, the Wolves will take giant leaps forward. And they’ll see it payoff in their numbers, individual accolades and (most importantly) wins.

The Other Big 3

Let’s be honest, it’s difficult to lack energy on defense when you’re playing next to Josh Okogie, Jaden McDaniels and/or Jarred Vanderbilt. If you want an overreaction to game one, it’s that those three guys on defense will be just as important to winning as Towns, DLo and Ant are on offense.

They won’t show up in the box score often and won’t even be on the court together much of the time. But Okogie, McDaniels and Vanderbilt remedy a lot of the defensive warts left on this team’s skin by others who are more offensively focused. And this is before Patrick Beverly (1-game suspension) joins the fray.

Josh Okogie’s defense was really special last night. Finally feels like his frenetic energy has been harnessed. Great instincts, perfect footwork, unmatchable energy, and looked more explosive challenging shots. This level of consistency is really important for him going forward. pic.twitter.com/1YibIMKt1q

— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) October 21, 2021

But all six of the players we’ve talked about so far are smart enough and skilled enough to play both sides of the floor at a competent level. And through the preseason and one regular season game, they all have. But there are 81 left to play.

That’s where the sudden wealth of Wolves depth comes in. Malik Beasley, Taurean Prince, Naz Reid will all play key roles too and those three will put up some impressive offensive numbers should they stay healthy and on the court. Chris Finch will likely give 10-11 players regular minutes, to start the season. All of them are worthy, which is a luxury most teams don’t have.

Cautious Progress

I’m trying my best to keep this one game in proper perspective.

But while it’s true the 2021 Rockets are terrible, it can also be true that the Wolves are new and improved too. If nothing else, Wednesday night’s game taught us one important lesson. The 2021 Minnesota Timberwolves, unlike the Rockets, are not a team still sitting in the basement of the NBA.

It’s clear they’re much to skilled and organized for that. Progress! Good teams blow out bad teams just like Minnesota did Houston to open the season. Now at 1-0, they need to move on and bring the same energy in game two. That’s part of the growth process.

Next on the schedule is the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, who are missing their 300-pound star, Zion Williamson. They should win again (in similar fashion). The Wolves schedule opens with seven of their first eight games at home.

I’m not excited, you’re excited. Taurean Prince has even put his budding music career on hold.

Locked in trying to be apart of a playoff birth, no time for much else https://t.co/aq8pphzlvB

— TP (@taureanprince) October 21, 2021

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan

Congrats, Wolves fans. We made it.

via GIPHY

That’s correct, coach. I’m talking about the playoffs. Tonight’s Timberwolves game will mark the franchises first postseason contest since May 31, 2004.

With eight-seeded Minnesota taking on the top-seeded Houston Rockets, many people don’t see the series reaching a fifth game. Unless there is something wrong with my vision (better than 20/20. no big deal), those individuals are confused and/or under the influence.

First of all, Sunday’s Timberwolves team will be better than their regular season record suggests. This season, Minnesota finished 10-13 without Jimmy Butler. When Butler was in the lineup (as he will be tonight), they went 37-22. If you translate the 62.7 W/L percentage over those 59 games to the entire season, Tom Thibodeau’s squad would have finished third in the Western Conference.

Secondly, the Rockets aren’t your typical one-seed. Despite what the standings suggest, Golden State (Steph Curry was cutting all over the place during his Saturday workouts. Chef was looking spry.) owns not only the West, but the entire league.

Also, and possibly most important, the difference between regular season and playoff basketball strongly plays against Mike D’Antoni’s, innovative approach.

Mike D’Antoni has been to the #nbaplayoffs 7 times and has a 31-26 record as a top-3 seed (1-12 w/a 6 or 7 seed)..

If the #rockets make quick work of the #TWolves it’d be pretty shocking given his past…

1-Seed: 9-6
2-Seed: 16-15
3-Seed: 6-5
6-Seed: 1-8
7-Seed: 0-4 pic.twitter.com/QKrkqupde6

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 14, 2018

Damn. Let the above sample size soak in for a second. D’Antoni is a regular attendee of the “Playoff Struggles” convention.

The Rockets coach is the originator of the “Seven Seconds or Less” offense. In Layman’s terms, that strategy emphasis an extremely up-tempo style of play that includes an aggressive amount of three-point FG attempts. The approach has completely revolutionized today’s NBA.

The amount other franchises incorporate D’Antoni’s philosophy varies. On other side of the fence, the Rockets coach is all in on the approach. When you look at his 232-96 record during his four seasons (2004-05 through 2007-08) in Phoenix, it’s obvious to see why.

.@Hoophall Class of 2018: A maestro with the ball, @SteveNash led the @Suns seven seconds or less approach to perfection. Nash won back-to-back NBA MVPs, joining @MagicJohnson as the only point guards in league history to capture multiple MVP trophies. pic.twitter.com/6X0NriFuHR

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 31, 2018

However, as indicated by his 32-38 career playoff record, that success doesn’t translate past the regular season. Despite the court dimensions remaining the same, play tightens up this time of year. The fast-pace, patented offense is less likely to catch a defense off-guard. That plethora of three-point attempts will be more contested than they were in the winter (I know there’s a blizzard outside but I promise it’s mid-April).

No matter what the cause is, D’Antoni’s Suns teams speak for themselves. Steve Nash and his back-to-back MVP trophies never got past the Western Conference Finals.

Not much gets me feeling more depressed than the fact that the Steve Nash Suns never won a championship.

— Mike Kennedy (@mbken84) March 30, 2018

SIDEBAR: That Mike guy either has a real worry-free life or he needs to evaluate his priorities.

In this circumstance, on top of D’Antoni playoff woes, the injury to defensive specialist (and former Timberwolf) Luc Mbah a Moute could hurt Houston more than perceived from afar. While he’s not James Harden or Chris Paul, playing without the defensive-minded UCLA alum doesn’t help the 66 year-old coaches cause.

Speaking of Harden and Paul, how have those two done in the postseason?

After hugely successful regular season, James Harden and Chris Paul will chase elusive playoff glory @kristieAP https://t.co/dvGBxDTlPr

— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) April 15, 2018

Okay, okay. I don’t know about you guys/gals, but I’m ready to f*cken dance.

Tip is at 8PM (TNT). See ya then.

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com