Few franchises within the Western Convention have remodeled their picture as dramatically because the Minnesota Timberwolves. As soon as synonymous with mediocrity, the Wolves have now strung collectively back-to-back Western Convention Finals appearances and established themselves as a real championship contender. The times of “plucky underdog” narratives are over; it is a franchise working with championship expectations.
But with expectations come new challenges, notably within the period of the NBA’s stringent monetary guidelines. Minnesota has already navigated probably the most delicate balancing acts of the 2025 offseason: preserving Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Joe Ingles with out triggering an untenable luxury-tax state of affairs. However the one obvious difficulty stays the identical: level guard play.
With Mike Conley approaching retirement and Rob Dillingham nonetheless discovering his footing on the NBA stage, the Timberwolves enter the 2025–26 marketing campaign susceptible of their backcourt orchestration. That makes early-season roster analysis vital. And if the Timberwolves wish to shore up their title hopes, they could want to maneuver on from sure items to usher in the proper match.
Beneath are three way-too-early commerce candidates who might be moved earlier than the deadline.
Tristen Newton: The rookie guard going through a steep climb
Tristen Newton arrived in Minnesota as a second-round flier with the sort of two-way school pedigree that piqued the Wolves’ scouting division. A champion at UConn and a confirmed chief, Newton affords defensive versatility and a knack for making the proper play. The problem? Cracking a deep rotation on a contending crew is a distinct animal totally.
As of now, Newton is buried behind Dillingham, Conley, and TSJ within the guard hierarchy. With out constant minutes, his growth will hinge on observe reps and occasional garbage-time stints. For a franchise chasing a title, that’s hardly ever sufficient to justify preserving a participant who may as an alternative be used as commerce ballast.
Newton’s modest rookie-scale contract is an asset in commerce talks, particularly for a rebuilding crew in search of low-cost younger expertise. The Timberwolves may bundle him with a future second-round choose to accumulate a veteran flooring common or a backup wing.
On condition that Newton’s timeline doesn’t align with Minnesota’s present rivalry window, the entrance workplace might even see him as a developmental luxurious they merely can’t afford to maintain if a possibility arises to fortify their rotation. Early-season inactivity may make him one of many first names on the commerce desk.
Leonard Miller: The event undertaking at a crossroads
Leonard Miller stays one of many extra intriguing long-term prospects on Minnesota’s roster, a 6-10 ahead with guard-like mobility, defensive switchability, and flashes of offensive creativity. However the Timberwolves’ championship window isn’t ready for him to determine it out.
Drafted in 2023 and given time to develop in Iowa and restricted NBA minutes, Miller nonetheless profiles as a uncooked participant. His jumper stays inconsistent, his decision-making beneath stress is a piece in progress, and his position in a playoff rotation is unclear. With Randle and Reid entrenched within the frontcourt, Miller’s pathway to common minutes is blocked.
Different groups, notably these within the early levels of a rebuild, may see Miller as a buy-low candidate with important upside. His athletic instruments and defensive potential may entice a crew keen to speculate growth time.
For Minnesota, Miller represents each a commerce chip and a possible future starter, however the entrance workplace could resolve that flipping him now for a extra rapid contributor is the higher play. If accidents or taking pictures woes plague the Wolves early, Miller might be a part of a bundle to land a confirmed 3-and-D wing or a secondary ball handler.
Jaylen Clark: The defensive specialist in a crowded wing rotation
Jaylen Clark is the sort of participant coaches like to have in observe: a relentless defender, a excessive motor, and an unshakable aggressive streak. Popping out of UCLA with a fame as one in all school basketball’s finest perimeter stoppers, Clark was anticipated to carve out a distinct segment as a defensive tone-setter for Minnesota’s second unit.
The problem is that the Wolves are already stacked with defensive-minded wings. Jaden McDaniels and Joe Ingles all occupy related roles whereas providing extra polished offensive video games. With Edwards enjoying heavy minutes and Randle shifting lineups towards smaller, switchable appears, Clark’s alternatives to see the ground in significant moments are scarce.
Clark continues to be creating his three-point shot and offensive playmaking, which limits his playoff utility for a contender that may’t afford offensive liabilities in a good collection. His rookie-scale contract makes him a sexy low-cost asset for groups trying so as to add perimeter protection with out committing main cap house.
From Minnesota’s perspective, shifting Clark in a bundle may assist handle extra urgent wants, particularly a gradual level guard or a knockdown shooter. The Timberwolves’ wing depth permits them to deal from a place of energy, and Clark’s defensive upside might be way more useful to a rebuilding franchise than to a crew chasing a title proper now.
The larger image
The Wolves’ depth and continuity have carried them to consecutive deep playoff runs, however championship rivalry usually calls for in-season changes. The NBA panorama shifts rapidly: a sluggish begin, a sudden harm, or a rival’s massive commerce can drive a contender’s hand.
Jaylen Clark, Tristen Newton, and Leonard Miller signify three several types of commerce chips: the confirmed however imperfect, the untested rookie, and the uncooked developmental ahead. Shifting any of them may assist Minnesota handle its two greatest considerations: level guard stability and dependable taking pictures.
With the West as stacked as ever, the Nuggets nonetheless formidable, the Thunder ascending, and the Warriors and Clippers chasing one final run, the Timberwolves can’t afford complacency. A wise, well timed commerce might be the distinction between one other Western Convention Finals look and the heartbreak of an early exit.
If Minnesota is daring sufficient to make that transfer early, the 2025–26 season would possibly simply be their finest shot at bringing a championship to the Twin Cities.