As for the upcoming season, the team\u2019s goal should be to cross that hurdle and reach the 2026 NBA Finals. However, if that\u2019s the goal, bringing back 37-year-old Joe Ingles<\/a> seems like a surprising move.<\/p>\n In fact, New York Knicks<\/a> star Josh Hart urged Ingles to retire<\/a> amid his return to the Timberwolves. So, what\u2019s the reason behind the T-Wolves investing in the veteran forward?<\/p>\n For the Timberwolves, the pecking order is as clear as day. Anthony Edwards<\/a> is the superstar with the likes of Julius Randle<\/a> and Rudy Gobert<\/a> being his second-in-command.<\/p>\n Additionally, Naz Reid<\/a> is expected to be the defensive anchor of the team. Hence, the Timberwolves re-signed him<\/a> to a five-year, $125 million deal.<\/p>\n So, where does Joe Ingles fit in this dynamic? Well, according to The Athletic\u2019s Jon Krawczynski<\/a>, the Timberwolves see locker-room value in keeping Ingles on the roster.<\/p>\n \u201cThe logic is rooted in a long-running philosophical preference of president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and coach Chris Finch,\u201d Krawczynski wrote.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cLocker room dynamics play a big role in team success, and Connelly pays as much attention to them as any lead executive in the league.\u201d<\/p>\n Ingles played in just 19 games last season, averaging 0.8 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game for the organization.<\/p>\n Joe Ingles was brought in as Kyle Anderson\u2019s replacement Having a locker room leader is just as important as having a superstar on the court. After all, without that figure, a team could blow up from inside.<\/p>\n Fans saw that with the Golden State Warriors<\/a> following Draymond Green and Jordan Poole\u2019s scuffle<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Wolves sold him [Ingles] on a Kyle Anderson-like role after Anderson, a favorite of Finch\u2019s, left in free agency,\u201d Krawczynski continued.<\/p>\n He concluded by stating: \u201cThe two-for-one deal took most of the minutes that otherwise could have been allotted to Ingles, who took the change in stride.\u201d<\/p>\n Fast forward to the summer of 2025 and it feels like Ingles has fulfilled that role for the Timberwolves. Keeping that in mind, fans shouldn\u2019t expect to see Ingles much on the court.<\/p>\n![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2213958028-941x627.jpg\")
Photo by David Berding\/Getty ImagesJoe Ingles\u2019 re-signing was due to \u2018locker room dynamics\u2019<\/p>\n![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2200858029-940x627.jpg\")
Photo by Jason Miller\/Getty Images<\/p>\n