Initially, we all pointed to how the last-minute blockbuster trade lighten the Wolves’ financial books, especially into the future. But we’ve found out this postseason that, outside of a couple Julius Randle playoff duds — including an ugly 5 point, 7 rebound performance in game four — the move had positive basketball implications too.

Looking ahead to the 2025 NBA offseason, assuming the Minnesota Timberwolves do drop one of their next three (possible) West Finals games vs OKC, this Wolves team has a lot of unknowns, many of which have far-reaching implications for how their 2025-26 roster will look.

Local Insider weighs in on Minnesota Timberwolves roster decisions (goodbye NAW)

KSTP’s Darren “Doogie” Wolfson joined SKOR North’s Mackey & Judd Show Tuesday, for an early-week scoops session. They talked mostly Vikings and Timberwolves.

During the Wolves conversation, Phil Mackey, Judd Zulgad and Doogie looked toward the future, specifically lending insight into Minnesota’s offseason plans for Julius Randle (player option), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (UFA) and Naz Reid (player option), all of which hold their own 2025-26 destiny.

According to Wolfson’s report, the expectation for now, is that the Wolves bring back both big men, in Randle and Reid. Meanwhile, the longtime local insider is quite confident that Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s time in Minneapolis is over. It sounds keeping NAW would be too much of a strain on their future luxury tax situation.

“I am going to miss Nickeil Alexander-Walker. I’ve been saying for months, last night was a reminder. The way he articulates thoughts too. I love speaking with Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He was so good last night. He has earned a four-year, full mid-level this summer. To me it’s going to happen elsewhere. I am going to miss NAW a ton.”

Darren Wolfson – Skor North

It’s important to note that, because all of the players mentioned above were either drafted to Minnesota or traded for, the Timberwolves own their “Bird Rights”. All that means, to break it down in simple terms for the purpose of this article, that Tim Connelly & Co. are legally allowed to exceed the NBA’s soft salary cap, in order to keep them.

Of course, do so at your own risk. New owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez will find that out the hard way in the coming weeks, when their $100 million 2024-25 luxury tax bill — which ranks second-most in the NBA this season — comes due. Just because something is legal, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

Wolves hoping/planning to keep Julius Randle and Naz Reid around?

The reality for Julius Randle is not the same as Naz Reid, who the Minnesota Timberwolves plan to pay handsomely this offseason, after he uses his player option to become an unrestricted free agent. If Reid wanted to leave, he would have plenty of suitors waiting for him. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear he is interested in that.

Randle — whose player option checks in at north of $29 million, should he choose to opt-in — does not wet the whistle of other NBA teams across the league, according to Wolfson. Julius likes it here, and Chris Finch likes him.

Related: Is Chris Finch Holding Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves Back?

Thus, from what Doogie is hearing behind the scenes, the MN Timberwolves are probably the best situation for the 2014 No. 7 overall pick out of Kentucky. Given how much the two sides have taken to one-another, Julius will probably return, knowing the 2024-25 grass is unlikely to be greener, should he opt-out and test free agency. From there, do the Wolves look to trade him…?

“On Naz, on Julius. I still think Naz is here. They know they need to pay him north of $30 million a year. I see Naz re-signing with the Wolves — exercising the player option, so opting out, hitting the open market, then the Wolves re-sign Naz Reid.”

On Julius Randle, he has the player option. [The Nets] have cap space this summer, the Pistons have some and a pathway to create more. The Pistons, I think, like Naz Reid. I’m not sure the Pistons are big Julius Randle fans. I just haven’t heard Brooklyn Nets + Julius Randle steam.

So, would it make more sense for Julius to opt-in, exercise the player option, be back with the Wolves in a contract year, then re-evaluate his situation summer of 2026? Then if Julius is on an expiring contract, if you’re Tim Connelly, what does that trade market look like?

The Wolves still need another [guard] who can create off the dribble. Some of the qualities that Rob Dillingham has, minus the turnovers…but I still think the Wolves need somebody like that more immediately, next season. Does Julius help you acquire whoever that is [along with draft picks]?”

Darren Wolfson – Skor North

Of everything discussed during today’s scoop session,the best news is that the Minnesota Timberwolves expect Naz Reid to return. The 2024 Sixth Man of the Year award has proven himself as a crucial piece to this organization’s bright future last season, dropping 14.2 points per game off the bench again this season.

Soon enough, it will be his time to take over for Julius Randle in the starting rotation. Will that be next season, or the year after? We don’t know. But if Wolfson is right, then it’s possible we could see both back for at least one more chance to run it back with mostly the same roster as they have now.

Earlier Monday, he somehow got Luka Garza to agree to a minimum deal that guarantees little playing time, and they’ve been trying to convince incumbent role players like Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris to take pay cuts too.

Lauri Markkanen to the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Now, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Wolves are one of a few teams “showing interest” in All-Star Lauri Markkanen, who’s just 27 years old and knows how to get buckets.

The Jazz are indeed welcoming calls on Markkanen, league sources told Yahoo Sports... In addition to Golden State, Sacramento and San Antonio have been the two other teams characterized by league figures with knowledge of the situation as strong possible suitors for Markkanen at this point... Minnesota has shown interest in Markkanen as well, sources said.

Jake Fischer – Yahoo

Markkanen, who is just one season removed from winning the league’s Most Improved Player award, entered the NBA in 2017 with the Chicago Bulls. It was the Timberwolves who drafted him, though, before making him a main piece in their trade for Jimmy Butler.

Throughout Markkanen’s first seven years in the league, he has consistently been a double-digit scorer. But his numbers shot through the roof once he arrived in Utah for the 2022-23 season. As a member of the Jazz, Markkanen averaged 25 points and over 8 rebounds per night.

Markkanen would bring a significant offensive boost to the Timberwolves, but with his current season cost exceeding $18 million and a potential extension looming, Minnesota may need to part with a player or two to make room. That wouldn’t be a problem, because the Jazz aren’t looking to give him away for free.

How big of a deal would this be?

If Tim Connelly can work out a trade that lands Markkanen, I’m not sure Jaden McDaniels keeps his starting job. Could McDaniels be part of the package sent back to Utah? That certainly can’t be ruled out. Could this be part of a bigger deal for Karl-Anthony Towns? How could we rule that out either?

Related: Luka Garza is Somehow Returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves

If this deal were to go down, it would be (at the very least) a semi-blockbuster. The type of trade that would shake up the way we look at this Minnesota Timberwolves roster today. That’s how big of a deal this would be.

Clearly, the Timberwolves are committed to going all in on the 2024-25 season and any trade for Lauri Markkanen would hammer that point home (yet again).

Lauri Markkanen. #KiaMIP.

First-time All-Star with huge highlights and career highs across the board… @MarkkanenLauri earned the Kia NBA Most Improved Player! pic.twitter.com/A2NGB7OIap

— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2023

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and FanDuel TV, Tim Connelly is expected to restructure his contract, securing a higher salary and extending his tenure in Minnesota for several more years.

Shams: "The expectation around the league, I'm told, is that Tim Connelly will end up in a restructured deal, a renegotiated deal [in Minnesota]." #WolvesBack pic.twitter.com/tAZV8LnYLy

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) June 3, 2024

“The expectation around the league, I’m told, is that Tim Connelly will end up in a restructured deal, a renegotiated deal. Whether it’s Glen Taylor, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Lore, they understand his market value has gone up. He helped architect the team that won it in Denver. Then this team in Minnesota becomes a championship contender. And his deal is at $8 million per season.

You look around the league at all the top tier general managers, executives who are leading franchises, that’s now between $10 to $15 million per season, for those lead executives. Just like the coaching contracts, GM contracts are going up as So I would expect Tim Connelly, I think everyone around the league expects Tim Connelly to get a new deal in Minnesota.”

Shams Charania – FanDuel TV

Connelly’s new deal will see him earning up to $15 million annually. When he initially joined the Timberwolves, he signed a five-year contract worth $40 million, which paid him $8 million per year. His new salary nearly doubles that amount.

Connelly is widely regarded as one of the top general managers in the league. He built the championship-winning Denver Nuggets roster before moving on to Minnesota.

Related: Glen Taylor Expected to Hold Final Say on Timberwolves Offseason

Connelly pulled off one of the league’s most significant trades by acquiring Rudy Gobert. Later, he brought in Mike Conley, moves that propelled the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals for just the second time in the franchise’s history.

Shams also went into the ownership battle happening behind the scenes with the Minnesota Timberwolves right now. He said an arbitration date isn’t expected to be set until August or September, which confirms reports from last week that Glen Taylor will be the owner during this very important offseason.

“Glen Taylor, we know about that ownership battle right now. There’s a war going on behind the scenes, Glen Taylor against Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. I’m told that they’re going to figure out a date for their official arbitration to figure out the future owner, of the Timberwolves.

It’ll be sometime this week. They’ll find a date. I expect that arbitration date to be sometime in August or September, where they’re going to work to decide who the actual owner is going to be, moving forward. But the other big thing is Tim Connelly has an opt out in his contract. He has some days here to make a decision on his option.”

Shams Charania – FanDuel TV

No matter how the ownership “war” plays out, though, it appears that, after much speculation regarding his possible departure, Tim Connelly has decided to stay with the team. Regardless of the owner, it sounds like he will continue to build upon the roster he has transformed into NBA title contenders for years to come.

Meanwhile, the Wolves now face a very challenging offseason ahead. Everyone wants to know whether or not they will break up their current big three of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, in order to avoid paying copious amounts in luxury tax penalties.

Nick Young (Swaggy P) chimes in on Minnesota Timberwolves future

Nick Young, better known as “Swaggy P”, enjoyed a solid decade-long career in the NBA, playing for teams like the Wizards, 76ers, Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, and Nuggets. He even snagged a championship with the Warriors and nearly wifed up Iggy Azalea… until D’Angelo Russell ruined it.

Now, Young is weighing in on what the Minnesota Timberwolves should do with their core roster this summer, and he is imploring Tim Connelly not to overreact to their Western Conference Finals disappointment, keep the core together, pick up another “hooper” and trust the process.

T Wolves pls dnt trade nobody pls just go get a jordan clarkson or Poole party yall one hooper away from a ship and maybe you can get a tj McCollum to

— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) June 2, 2024

“T Wolves pls dnt trade nobody pls just go get a jordan clarkson or Poole party yall one hooper away from a ship and maybe you can get a tj McCollum to”

Nick Young – @nickswagypyoung – X

Swaggy P believes the Timberwolves should avoid making any blockbuster trades and instead focus on keeping their current roster intact. He suggests they should aim to acquire a player like Jordan Clarkson, Jordan Poole, or even consider adding CJ McCollum to strengthen the team.

Swaggy P might have a point here. If the Timberwolves manage to maintain their core lineup and snag another reliable starter, there’s a real chance they could be playing in June next season.

Related: Glen Taylor Expected to Hold Final Say on Timberwolves Offseason

All the players he mentioned are still under contract for at least the next season, so they would need to be acquired through a trade. These aren’t players on bargain contracts.

To get them, Minnesota might have to part ways with someone like Naz Reid or Jaden McDaniels, who are on reasonable deals. Alternatively, they could opt to unload a bundle of draft picks and a solid role player, especially if they’re wary of diving into luxury tax territory. But for now, enjoy this Swaggy P highlight reel.

The only man who could save this Lakers team

SWAGGY P 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/zsqRztymGo

— 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 (@SixthManJake) January 4, 2024

NBA insider, Evan Sidery (Forbes Sports, Sporting News), shared some interesting insights about the Timberwolves’ plans this offseason, a topic that has been in the back of many minds, given the luxury tax penalties that loom large over the organization.

Minnesota Timberwolves running it back in 2024-25?

Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels’ new contracts both kick in next season, not to mention a $14 million raise for Karl-Anthony Towns. In total, the Wolves are one of only two teams already projected into the 2nd apron of the league’s luxury tax system, which will cost a projected $50 million tax payment next year.

That’s why many are questioning whether or not the Wolves could trade Karl-Anthony Towns and blow up their big three. Some even suggested that Jaden McDaniels could be on the trade block too.

But in a somewhat convoluted Twitter post Monday, Sidery tried to put Minnesota Timberwolves fans at ease, writing that the Timberwolves are “very likely to run it back next season”.

The Timberwolves will be paying $172.4 million to five players next season:

Karl-Anthony Towns = $49.3 million
Rudy Gobert = $43.9 million
Anthony Edwards = $42.3 million
Jaden McDaniels = $22.9 million
Naz Reid = $14.0 million

Minnesota’s ongoing ownership war featuring Glen… pic.twitter.com/ujFTO0vKiX

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 27, 2024

Minnesota’s ongoing ownership war featuring Glen Taylor vs. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore is another interesting wrinkle to their long-term roster decisions. Minnesota will very likely run it back next season, but Rudy Gobert becomes extension-eligible this offseason. If the Timberwolves fork over a lucrative extension to Gobert, what does the immediate future hold for Towns?

Evan Sidery – X

As we get ready to enter the offseason, there are plenty of uncertainties swirling around the Timberwolves organization. The biggest immediate question surrounds their ability to do the impossible and turn this series around. Then there’s the Tim Connelly opt out, and the ongoing ownership war…

Related: Timberwolves Can’t Overcome Bad KAT, Whining Luka Doncic or Horrible Officiating in Game 3

As fans eagerly await answers, it’s clear that significant decisions lie ahead that will shape the trajectory of the franchise. Keeping the core team intact would be an expensive way to show fans that the organization is willing to invest in the club, no matter whose name is on it when this all shakes out.