Following a very productive start to free agency, the Minnesota Timberwolves roster is nearing completion, with 14 players on the payroll heading into the 2023-24 season. Like every other team in the league, the Wolves are waiting to see where Damian Lillard will end up before finalizing their roster because the potential blockbuster trade will impact the NBA’s market as a whole.
The Timberwolves became expensive this summer after they extended Naz Reid and Anthony Edwards. The 5-year deal that Edwards received was expected. However, nobody was certain that they’d retain Reid. The 23-year-old versatile big man drew heavy interest from multiple teams, and Minnesota already was spending over $77 million on their frontcourt this season. Regardless, Reid and the Wolves agreed on a deal that works for both sides.
We are still waiting on Jaden McDaniels’ extension to remain in the Twin Cities. But for the most part, Tim Connelly and Co.’s heavy lifting is over. With just over $2.2 million left in cap space, and 14 players on the roster, here is a look at Minnesota’s payroll via spotrac.com.
Minnesota’s front office still has a few small yet meaningful decisions to make with their team’s outlook before training camp kicks off in late October. They’ve cemented their opening-day rotation for the most part. However, the Wolves still need more depth to cover for injuries and the fatigue of an 82-game season.
Options With the Final Roster Spot
Last season, Chris Finch preferred to use a nine-man rotation, even when injuries depleted the roster. Keeping a tight rotation is always beneficial, allowing players to get in a groove with each other. Some teams choose to run fewer players in their rotation. However, Finch and his staff didn’t have a choice with the lack of reliability they received from their bench players.
After the Wolves dropped back-to-back games in late December, Finch addressed the team’s issues on the offensive end and suggested the tight rotation.
Our offense has gotten stagnant. Maybe, we’re running out of gas with some of the short rotations we are playing. I’ve got to do a better job at either finding another guy to get in there or chopping up the runs a little better so guys have more energy in the fourth.
The short rotations the Wolves ran were most likely a factor in their lack of relative health last season. For example, it felt like whenever Edwards was resting and the bench was tasked to hold down the fort without any starter on the floor, the offensive production tanked. That may have overworked the starting five. Minnesota’s moves this summer aren’t going to solve that entirely. However, every signing and extension, from the sixth man to the 15th player, can be crucial in important parts of the season.
With just over $2 million left in cap space, the final roster spot is uncertain. The Wolves can still make trades. Assuming everything stays the same, adding someone with the potential to come through in those crucial moments could be valuable – think of Austin Rivers’ role last season. However, having an opening in the roster could be just as valuable midway through the season. Having some flexibility with the roster would allow Minnesota to examine what the team needs from an end-of-the-bench veteran before signing them.
Jaylen Nowell Is Still Lingering
Nowell likely won’t be returning, but the Wolves have to figure out what to do with him. There’s mutual interest between both parties to find Nowell a new home. However, the path that will be taken is still unknown.
There have been reports that Minnesota has an interest in a sign-and-trade with Nowell. Most recently, reports have linked him to teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. However, Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks are no longer interested in Nowell.
I know there were some recent reports that Jaylen Nowell from Minnesota is a potential target. I was actually told the Mavericks are not really in that race at this point. So, to this point, I would scratch Nowell as a target for the Mavericks; at least, that was that’s what I was told yesterday.
It seems Nowell, his camp, and the Timberwolves are waiting to see where Lillard falls. It’s not every day a star to the magnitude of Lillard requests a trade, so it makes sense why the league is on somewhat of a hiatus with signings and trades.
Due to Nowell’s lackluster 2022-23 season, the Wolves aren’t going to get much in return for him. However, being able to get something rather in return is always beneficial. Right now, there aren’t many glaring holes in Minnesota’s bench. But they should still add depth at point guard or center – believe it or not.
