On Tuesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote that “various team figures” he spoke to in Orlando at the G League Showcase mentioned the Minnesota Timberwolves as the team that best fits the description of potential buyers in the West (subscription required). He added that executives are interested in seeing how aggressive Minnesota will be in its search for another point guard.
The Timberwolves currently sit fifth in the West with a 19-10 record, one game behind the No. 4 Lakers. The Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets are the top three teams in the conference, and as Fischer said, those squads aren’t expected to be buyers. As for Los Angeles, it needs a 3-and-D wing, but whoever that could be isn’t on the market yet.
That leaves Minnesota as the top team in the conference most likely to make a big splash. Tim Connelly is no stranger to making big deals, from trading for Rudy Gobert to trading Karl-Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves were in the mix for Kevin Durant before the 2025 deadline and over the summer before the Suns and Rockets agreed to a trade.
Who might be Minnesota’s next big splash? Fischer listed Ja Morant, Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland, and James Harden as options. To be clear, the five teams that those players belong to haven’t made them available, at least not yet. And as Fischer noted, if the Timberwolves do make another big trade, it will require giving up Julius Randle or Naz Reid.
Timberwolves expected to be buyers before the trade deadline
Anthony Edwards isn’t going anywhere, and Fischer reported that Minnesota is “adamant” about not parting with Jaden McDaniels, either. That is where Randle’s ($30.8 million) and Reid’s ($21.6 million) salaries factor in. Would the Timberwolves be willing to part with either?
Fischer confirmed that the front office did check in on Coby White, who is making $12.9 million this season, which is cheaper than the other aforementioned options. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent over the summer, which could keep the Timberwolves away. Fischer listed Collin Sexton as another player the team inquired about.
Over the next few weeks, Minnesota will establish the direction it wants to go in with 44 days remaining until the deadline. Maybe Los Angeles will make Harden available (hey, it’s just an option), but that isn’t something the Clippers are willing to do yet. Perhaps Atlanta will decide it’s better off without Young. The possibilities are endless.
Whatever happens, the Timberwolves need to do their best to keep Randle, who is the ideal co-star alongside Edwards.