John Konchar’s time with the Minnesota Timberwolves lasted only a few hours. His departure says more about the Wolves’ 2026-27 roster construction than it does about his value as an NBA player.
Minnesota waived Konchar on Saturday after acquiring him from the Utah Jazz. The move was expected, as the Timberwolves needed to stretch his contract and create financial flexibility to finalize Jonathan Kuminga’s arrival.
But there was also a basketball reason Konchar was never likely to become part of Chris Finch’s rotation: Minnesota simply has too many players competing for the same perimeter minutes.
Konchar is a 30-year-old, low-usage wing who has made a career out of rebounding, defending multiple positions and moving the ball. Those are useful traits, especially for a contender. But the Wolves are entering a season in which their wing and guard roles are already heavily spoken for.
3May 15, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half during game six of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Assuming Minnesota opens with its expected starting group, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kuminga and Rudy Gobert will occupy the bulk of the meaningful minutes. Gobert protects the rim. Ball and Edwards give the Wolves their star power in the backcourt, while McDaniels remains their primary perimeter stopper and Kuminga is expected to fill the starting power forward vacancy.
That leaves little room for a player like Konchar, whose best route to the floor would have been as a complementary defender and secondary playmaker.
Ayo Dosunmu is already positioned for thar exact role as Minnesota’s top backcourt reserve after a strong first few months in the Twin Cities. He can handle the ball, create downhill pressure and play alongside either Ball or Edwards. His ability to cover both guard spots makes him a far more natural choice for Finch’s second unit.
Then there are the younger wings the Wolves still need to evaluate. Terrence Shannon Jr. has the athleticism and scoring upside to push for a larger role in his second NBA season. Jaylen Clark brings defensive energy and has a clearer specialist case as a perimeter disruptor. Minnesota also elected to keep Cody Williams, the 21-year-old former No. 10 overall pick who arrived in the same deal as Konchar.
Williams is not guaranteed minutes, but the Wolves have every reason to see whether they can unlock something from a 6-foot-8 wing with lottery-pick pedigree. That development priority would have made it difficult for Konchar to climb the depth chart, even if Minnesota had wanted to keep him.
Trey Lyles adds another veteran option capable of playing forward minutes, while the Wolves can shift McDaniels or Kuminga across frontcourt matchups. In smaller lineups, Minnesota can put Ball, Edwards, Dosunmu, McDaniels and Kuminga on the floor together and switch more freely without sacrificing its transition attack. That is not an ideal environment for Konchar to find a consistent role.
3Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles recovery does complicate the Wolves’ depth picture. Minnesota announced in April that DiVincenzo suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon, and he is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season. His absence could create more guard minutes, but it does not necessarily change the pecking order for Konchar.
The Wolves can replace DiVincenzo’s ball-handling and perimeter workload with Dosunmu, while Shannon and Clark offer more upside as complementary wings. Konchar would have provided a steady veteran option. Yet, he is not the kind of high-volume shooter or primary creator who would clearly solve Minnesota’s most pressing bench needs.
The financial component ultimately made the decision easy.
Konchar carried a $6.17 million salary for 2026-27. By stretching that figure over three seasons, Minnesota is expected to reduce the annual cap charge to roughly $2.06 million. The Wolves needed that extra room beneath the second-apron hard cap. The move also leaves them with a 15th standard roster spot to use on a veteran minimum signing.
That spot could be important. Minnesota may still seek a player who offers shooting, frontcourt depth or a more defined insurance policy while DiVincenzo recovers.
3Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Konchar’s release should not be viewed as a reflection of a player who suddenly became unplayable. He appeared in 56 games last season between Utah and Memphis, averaging 4.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists. In Utah, he logged 26.2 minutes per game and produced 5.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
He should have opportunities once he clears waivers.
For Minnesota, however, the fit was never there. The Wolves needed cap relief, want to evaluate younger wings and already have a crowded path to minutes at Konchar’s position. His brief stay was a practical roster move, not a missed opportunity.