With Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore taking over as owners of the franchise it remains to be seen how the financials will play out now and in the future. Currently the Timberwolves are up against the second apron when it comes to luxury tax implications.

The financial constraints played a part in their decision to part ways with both Luka Garza and Josh Minott. They did find money to bring back Joe Ingles, however.

Joe Ingles back for MN Timberwolves

Last season the Minnesota Timberwolves made veteran forward Joe Ingles a part of their plans during free agency. He signed a contract for just over $2 million. He’s coming back for 2025-26 and will get even more than that.

Free agent forward Joe Ingles intends to sign a one-year, $3.6 million deal to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. Wolves officials negotiated the deal with Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports to bring Ingles back for his 12th NBA season. pic.twitter.com/EHUd73sf9u

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

At $3.6 million Ingles is getting a relatively hefty raise. It’s almost double the amount he played for last year. It’s also some of the money that could have been used to secure either Garza or Minott on their player options.

This season will be the Ingles’ 12th in the NBA. The Australian native played eight years with the Utah Jazz before signing with the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

I know many people are gonna be negative about the Joe Ingles signing, but he's a massive presence on the Timberwolves roster

Julius countless times said Joe can easily pull him aside when he's frustrated and help him get level headed

Jaden has expressed how strong his… pic.twitter.com/XRQ9JF3RIL

— Wolves Lead (@TWolvesLead) June 30, 2025

A second season with Minnesota represents the first time Ingles has played for a franchise beyond Utah for more than one season. Last year with the Timberwolves Ingles averaged a career-low six minutes per game. He scored just 0.8 points per game, but clearly made an impact in the locker room.

It remains to be seen how Chris Finch will use Ingles moving forward. He was a non-existent part of the rotation last year. The renewed commitment for more money suggests there could be more on the horizon. If nothing else, his veteran presence is something that expands beyond the court and is clearly something Minnesota buys into.

Related: Two Words For MN Timberwolves Naz Reid: Pay Day

Minnesota still needs to find a competent ball-handler that can facilitate the offense. The Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons only to be bounced by 4-1 deficits.

Although Ingles has agreed to a new contract, it won’t become official until the NBA calendar allows on July 6 at 12:01 pm ET.

From the second quarter on vs Milwaukee, the Wolves were chasing on the scoreboard. They’d fall down by a handful (or two) of points, then claw it back to even, just to fall behind again.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Bucks’ disappointing end

But then, down 99-94 with 2:51 remaining, the Timberwolves made their final run of the game, outscoring the Bucks 7-0 over the next two minutes to take a 101-99 lead, which finished on a Naz Reid exclamation-point corner three, with just 47.1 seconds left. Unfortunately, those were the last points Minnesota scored.

After Naz’ clutch bucket, Milwaukee proceeded to put the ball in the basket on both of the Bucks’ next two possessions. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards went 0-for-2 (10-for-33 shooting in the game) on the other side of the floor, both pull-up jumpers.

Ant’s final miss came on his 17th three-point attempt of a game in which he made just four. Final score: Bucks 103, Wolves 101

ANTHONY EDWARDS DOES NOT DO OVERTIMES 🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/E0hdLpmlK1

— Hater Central (@TheHateCentral) February 13, 2025

Asked after the game if he was mad about his final two possessions vs Milwaukee, Edwards shrugged it off and chalked it up to ‘some fall and some don’t’. He remained adamant too, that the final shot above was better than any other shot he could have gotten.

Wolves coach Chris Finch calls out rookie Rob Dillingham

Head coach Chris Finch agreed with his superstar, telling reporters that he had no problem with the Wolves’ final shot or the game’s final possession. Instead, he pointed to other flaws in the Minnesota Timberwolves performance Wednesday.

Yes, Ant had a rough night from the field (29% FG, 28 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST) but Finchy was less concerned about his superstar and more concerned about his rookie. The 5th-year head coach made very clear during his postgame press conference that Minnesota’s biggest problem vs Milwaukee was their lack of organization and sense of calm offensively.

Finch specifically called out No. 8 overall draft pick Rob Dillingham, bluntly telling gathered media that Rob “is trying to search his [own] offense too much” and that he needs to search more for smarter pace, how to get into the paint and pass more…

“We got the ball in Joe’s hands to calm things down a little bit. We certainly need more from Rob in that situation, we need more of a point guard. Right now, I think he is trying to search his offense too much and he needs to search pace, search the paint and search the pass.”

Chris Finch postgame press conference – Timberwolves vs Bucks

With veteran point guard Mike Conley out, Finch was hoping Dillingham would grow up a little bit, as a point guard last night… and the rookie failed to answer the call. That’s why the Wolves eventually turned the offense over to 37-year-old Joe Ingles.

More from Finch on Rob Dillingham’s tough night vs Milwaukee

On the night, 20-year-old Rob Dillingham finished with 13 minutes off the bench, where he shot just 1-for-5 (0-for-2 from deep). But that’s only the beginning of what was a hideous Wednesday night box score — 2 PTS, 0 AST, 1 REB, 1 TO, -6 (+/-). Finch wasn’t done talking about Rob, though.

Related: Timberwolves’ Pursuit of Kevin Durant Far From Over

When asked by independent Minnesota Timberwolves reporter Dane Moore if it is critical they find a calming point guard presence who can control the game when necessary, while Conley is out, Finch said “yeah for sure” and again brought the conversation back to his rookie point guard.

Dane Moore: “Does that just feel critical in whatever this time is that Mike [Conley] is going to be out for, is just having, whether it’s Joe or just in general, having more control in the halfcourt?”

Finch: “Yeah for sure. We need to get more organized. We talked about that the other day after the Cleveland game. There are certain lineups out there… and again, this is what we need from Rob. We need him to get us into [plays] and get us more organized and play with some structure.”

Chris Finch postgame press conference – Timberwolves vs Bucks

I would disagree with Chris Finch, when it comes to the final possession of last night’s game. The Wolves, most importantly, need Anthony Edwards to be better in clutch time, where he has consistently struggled early on in his career. But I absolutely agree with his assessment on Rob Dillingham.

Report: Mavs Engaged Timberwolves in Luka Doncic Trade Talks

Until he learns how to control the pace of play and learn more to take what defenses are giving him, Minnesota will not be able to move on from Mike Conley… which isn’t a good thing since the 37-year-old point guard is on one of the worst seasons of his NBA career.

How will Dillingham react to this type of public criticism and why did Finch feel like he had to go there with media, regarding his point guard. In almost all scenarios, these things are worked on and discussed between player and coach long before called out publicly like this. So… what is Rob struggling to understand behind the scenes?

Minnesota Timberwolves sign Joe Ingles

Ingles averaged 4.4 points, 3 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game last season while shooting 43.5% from deep. He played just over 17 minutes per game.

Free agent F Joe Ingles has agreed on a one-year deal to join the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. Ingles reunites with his old Jazz teammates Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley Jr. pic.twitter.com/IcZUK2G4Qv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2024

Now that Kyle Anderson is gone, Ingles makes a lot of sense to fill his spot on the roster, which is why the Wolves were connected to Ingles quickly after he became available. He provides a lot of the same things Anderson did, but he can shoot.

The Australian also played multiple years in Utah with Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, which should help his transition in Minnesota. Ingles has played ten NBA seasons, eight of which were with the Jazz. Prior to his time in Orlando, Ingles played one season in Milwaukee.

Learn more about Joe Ingles

Now that free agents are officially allowed to begin negotiating (can’t sign yet), the Wolves are have been linked to one veteran sharpshooter who they’ve had interest in, in the past. Joe Ingles would replace a lot of what Kyle Anderson brought to Minnesota. He also has prior experience playing with both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley.

Joe Ingles + Minnesota Timberwolves steam…?

On Saturday, before free agency opened, Timberwolves insider Dane Moore noted that fans should keep an eye on Joe Ingles, noting that Tim Connelly & Co. pursued the former Utah Jazz small forward last offseason, but that they were ultimately outbid by an offer from the Orlando Magic worth two-years, $22 million.

• Joe Ingles stats last season: 17.2 MPG, 4.4 PPG, 3 APG, 2.1 RPG, 43.5% 3PT

The Magic, however, held a team option on year two and exercised it recently, putting the 36-year-old vet back on into the free agency pool. Ingles is worth more than the vet minimum on the open market, so coming to Minnesota would have to include a paycut.

The Wolves pursued Joe Ingles last offseason, but were ultimately outbid by Orlando.

Ingles is now 36 and likely to sign for more than the minimum. But if he is in that minimum contract range, I’m sure the Wolves would again pursue him.

I mention this because, as I understand… https://t.co/Ksr4VPMr4n

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) June 29, 2024

Since Moore’s tweet, there have been more rumblings on social media linking Ingles to the MN Timberwolves, but those reports are from mostly unknown, self-proclaimed insiders. On Monday, though, Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) also linked Ingles to the Wolves

There is a lot of youth at the position. Even though Anderson was more of a power forward, he could handle the ball and move to the 3 if needed. Joe Ingles, a player who drew interest from the Wolves in the past, would bring a veteran presence and a shotmaker.

Jon Krawczynski – The Athletic

Now that Kyle Anderson is on his way out, Ingles makes a lot of sense in Minnesota. Connecting those dots is easy and Jon’s note all but confirms the Wolves’ interest. Will he play on a veteran minimum contract, in order to pursue an NBA title? That’s another question.

Related: Rudy Gobert-Mikal Bridges Trade Comparison: Who Overpaid?

As a 10-year NBA veteran who entered the league at 27, it’s clear that Ingles’ best days are behind him. But he still has one very distinct skill — He’s one of the league’s best perimeter shooters, with a career accuracy rate of 41%. It doesn’t matter how old or unathletic he is, that type of accuracy can help the Timberwolves off the bench.

Joe Ingles gives Orlando a fourth quarter lead with a wide open triple. Markelle Fultz with the assist pic.twitter.com/16zFr361Tu

— Magic Film Room (@MagicFilmRoom) May 1, 2024

With the Wolves expected to lose Kyle Anderson as he seeks bigger offers, pivoting to a player with eight years of experience playing alongside Gobert and three alongside Conley could be a fair compromise.

Barring injury, Ingles isn’t likely to be among the first seven or eight players in the rotation, but it never hurts to have a shooter capable of providing productive minutes when Chris Finch calls his number.