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Time of death: May 28, 2025
Record at elimination: 49-33 (9-6 in playoffs)
Head coach: Chris Finch
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/yearly
Contract summary:
Anthony Edwards - $202,446,720/4 Years ($50,611,680 annual)
Rudy Gobert - $109,500,000/3 Years (last year Player Option)
Julius Randle - $30,935,520 Player Option
Jaden McDaniels - $110,482,758/4 Years ($27,620,690 annual)
Naz Reid - $15,022,464 Player Option
Donte DiVincenzo - $24,525,000/2 Years
Mike Conley - $10,774,038 (Expiring)
Rob Dillingham - $22,228,656/3 Years (1+2TO)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker - Unrestricted Free Agent
Terrence Shannon Jr. - $10,529,879/3 Years (1+2 TO)
Rookie Scale/minimums (varies on 2-4 years remaining):
Rob Dillingham - $22,228,656/3 Years (1+2TO)
Terrence Shannon Jr. - $10,529,879/3 Years (1+2 TO)
Luka Garza - $2,349,578 (Team Option)
Joe Ingles - Unrestricted Free Agent
Josh Minott - $2,187,451 (Team Option)
Leonard Miller - $4,627,882/2 Years (TO)
Jaylen Clark - $2,191,897
Two-Way Players:
Bones Hyland
Jesse Edwards
Tristen Newton
Dead-cap – None this season, non retained in the future
PICKS for 2025 draft:
#17 and #31
Dead-cap – 2.6M off the books this season, NONE retained next season
25-26 Capspace – 2nd apron team, with contract extensions to decide this offseason (Reid, Randle, DiVencenzo). Without those holds, can drop below 1st Apron.
PICKS for 2025 draft:
DET 1st
UTA 2nd
A SMALL SEASON REVIEW:
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/min
Early on the Wolves were a hit-or-miss team, rotating win streaks with a handful of losses and even as late as Jan 20th, were just one game above .500. There were really good moments but also a lot of games given up in the final stretches showing cracks in the clutch performance of the team.
However, look no further than the stretch run where Minnesota ended up 12 games above .500 and into the playoffs as the 6th seed vs the former Minnesota team, the Lakers.
As the lower seed, Minnesota stormed out to a 3-1 lead, eventually closing out the series convincingly against LA. The new-look-Luka Lakers had issues generating offense with Minnesota’s size, and Randle stepped up big-time. Minnesota’s incredible run continued on vs the Warriors in R2.
This was a series where Minnesota lost Game 1 at home (as a 6v7 matchup, MN had a rare HCA as a 6th seed), but GSW also lost Curry to a hamstring injury. The following three games showed the Wolves’ advantages to claw back to 3-1, and eventually end the Warriors season 4-1.
The Wolves moved on to face Oklahoma City in the WCF.
Again, Minnesota played tough against the Thunder - showing playoff grit - but ultimately bow out after a 1-4 series loss at the hands of a historic team. Overall, they conclude the playoffs with a positive record and showcased some high level play, it was shooting and spacing against Oklahoma that doomed them, and preserving possessions without turning the ball over. A great year in Wolves history, but not enough to reach the ultimate challenge of the NBA Finals once again.
Julius Randle played well this year, and I’m not joking. He really helped Minnesota generate offensive action and held his own in the playoffs as another big body on this team full of length. Gobert, McDaniels, and Naz Reid all make shots difficult for smaller teams. Even if all have some detrimental play at times, they have Edwards who can absolutely win a playoff game as he showed vs LA. He’s added names to his hit list already. KD, Jokic, James, Doncic have all lost to Edwards in a series now.
MN has big contract questions to address in the coming months primarily with Reid and Randle, but also they have two selections in the draft to make use of. Some of the MN rookies played well in spare moments, but I'd like to see more of them moving forward as Conley has slowed down, a replacement is necessary.
