Last week, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ season came to an end, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, four games to one.
While some pointed to questionable officiating, the Thunder were simply the better team. Their historically dominant defense, which had overwhelmed opponents all season, once again proved too much— this time for the Timberwolves. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with consistency and composure, while co-stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren rose to the occasion, continuing their rapid ascent. The Thunder stars have a strong case for the best big three in the NBA.
Now, with the NBA Finals tipping off on Thursday, June 5, the Thunder face a new challenge in the Indiana Pacers. Listed as -700 favorites to win it all, Oklahoma City appears poised to become the league’s seventh different champion in as many years.
The Timberwolves Had A Successful Season
But let’s shift our focus back to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite a disappointing end, this season was undeniably a success. The team returned to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year— something the franchise had never accomplished before. Prior to this stretch, the Timberwolves had only reached the Conference Finals once, back in 2004 with Kevin Garnett. This two-year run, led by Anthony Edwards, now stands as the most successful period in franchise history.
The Timberwolves made a bold move just before training camp last summer, trading away their second-best player, Karl-Anthony Towns, in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and the 17th pick in this year’s draft. That blockbuster deal led to a bumpy start as the new pieces adjusted.
Injuries compounded the challenge. Randle, DiVincenzo, and starting center Rudy Gobert all missed significant time throughout the season.
Still, the Timberwolves held steady. Once their core players returned, the team closed the regular season on a tear, going 17-4 down the stretch. They secured the No. 6 seed in the West— defying expectations that had them pegged as a play-in team.
Another Deep Playoff Run
Drawing the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, many around the NBA expected the Timberwolves’ season to end at the hands of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Instead, Minnesota proved the doubters wrong, handling the Lakers with relative ease and closing out the series in an impressive five games.
In the second round, they faced the Golden State Warriors. After a brutal Game 1 loss, the Timberwolves bounced back with four straight wins, dispatching the Dubs in another five-game series.
While Golden State was without Stephen Curry for all but 13 minutes of the series, the Timberwolves still took care of business, swiftly eliminating a team led by Hall of Fame-level veterans Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr.
That dominant 8-2 start to the postseason set the stage for a highly anticipated Western Conference Finals matchup against what most NBA insiders considered the league’s best team: the Oklahoma City Thunder. But just as the Timberwolves had handled their earlier opponents, the Thunder handled them— quickly and decisively.
Despite a blowout win in Game 3 and a down-to-the-wire battle in Game 4, it was clear the Timberwolves weren’t quite on the Thunder’s level. Frankly, no one in the NBA appears to be right now.
Still, reaching the NBA’s final four is no small feat— and for the Timberwolves, it’s another step forward in what’s become the most promising era in franchise history.
Anthony Edwards’ career, so far
Anthony Edwards’ run to a second straight Western Conference Finals is a significant accomplishment. While there’s been plenty of debate about what Edwards has — or hasn’t — achieved so far in his young career, suggesting he’s come up short would be unfair.
Edwards has reached two Conference Finals before turning 24. Compared to other NBA stars, he’s ahead of the curve. Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t reach his first Conference Finals until age 24. Nikola Jokić made his debut there at 25. Luka Dončić got there at 23, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just made his first appearance at 26.
Of those four, two won titles on their second deep playoff run— and Shai might become the third. Edwards, who turns 24 in August, is right on track.
To take the next step — breaking through the third-round barrier and reaching the NBA Finals — Edwards will need to continue developing his game and growing as a leader. Particularly important will be improving his ability to score in the midrange and further expanding his playmaking abilities.
Just as important, the Timberwolves’ front office must ensure he has the right supporting cast to compete at the highest level.
This upcoming offseason could prove pivotal in determining whether this team has a real shot at winning a title in the next few years.
Lots of Decisions Forthcoming
The Timberwolves’ front office faces several major decisions this offseason. Three of the team’s key players could hit free agency this summer.
Julius Randle holds a $30 million player option. He could choose to pick it up and remain with the team next season, decline it and test free agency, or negotiate an extension— likely at a higher number.
Naz Reid also has a player option, worth $15 million. He’s widely expected to decline it in pursuit of a longer-term deal with a higher annual value. Reid, a fan favorite and local legend, has expressed a desire to stay in Minnesota. However, with so many moving parts this offseason, retaining him may be difficult unless the front office is willing to meet his contract expectations.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker will become an unrestricted free agent on June 30. Whether he re-signs with the Timberwolves may hinge on the team’s decisions regarding Randle and Reid, as cap space and roster priorities begin to tighten.
Trust Tim Connelly
Tim Connelly, the Timberwolves’ President of Basketball Operations, has plenty to consider this offseason.
He could opt to keep most of the roster intact and run it back, though realistically, only two of the trio — Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker — are likely to stay. Given the team’s depth at guard, Alexander-Walker may end up the odd man out.
Connelly could also choose to shake things up. There have been persistent reports and rumors that the Timberwolves seriously pursued a trade for Kevin Durant before February’s trade deadline. With Anthony Edwards’ admiration for Durant, and their experience together on last year’s Olympic team, Minnesota remains linked to the 18-year veteran. In fact, the Timberwolves have emerged as betting favorites to land him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is another major name who could influence the Timberwolves’ offseason. While he’s not a free agent, there’s increasing speculation that his time in Milwaukee may be nearing an end. Minnesota isn’t seen as a front-runner for the former MVP, but in a multi-team trade scenario, anything is possible. Even if Antetokounmpo doesn’t end up in Minnesota, any major movement involving him will likely have ripple effects across the league— including for the Timberwolves.
Connelly has largely earned the trust of Timberwolves fans. He made an immediate splash after arriving in Minneapolis by trading a significant package for Rudy Gobert. While that deal was heavily criticized at the time — and still is in some circles — it has paid dividends. The team has made the playoffs in each of Gobert’s three seasons and reached the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years.
He also pulled off a savvy move by turning the underperforming D’Angelo Russell into two key contributors: Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Last summer, Connelly made another bold move that puzzled many around the league: trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick. While it’s too early to call that trade an unqualified success, it certainly hasn’t been a failure— the Timberwolves once again reached the same playoff heights as the previous season.
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This Timberwolves offseason, like much of the NBA’s, promises to be action-packed and pivotal. Timberwolves fans will be watching closely to see how the front office positions the team for a potential third straight trip to the Western Conference Finals— and, hopefully, a breakthrough to the franchise’s first-ever NBA Finals appearance.
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