The Minnesota Timberwolves have a glaring hole in their roster construction. As a result, the two-time Western Conference finalists have gotten off to an uneven start to the 2025-26 season.
How The Timberwolves Can Fix Their Biggest Weakness
Minnesota is 6-4 on the season, although the Timberwolves have won two straight and four of their last five. The Wolves, who are playing the second game of a back-to-back against Utah tonight, hung a season-high 144 points on the Sacramento Kings last night in a 27-point victory. It marked the second consecutive game they have scored at least 135 points, as Anthony Edwards dropped 26 points and Jaden McDaniels finished with 21. Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle each contributed 19 points, while Naz Reid led the three reserves in double figures with 13.
Granted, it is early, and Minnesota definitely is talented and “battle-tested.” However, the Wolves do sit in sixth place in the conference, and it is expected that a handful of teams will be fighting for the final non-Play-In spot.
Minnesota does have issues. The Timberwolves are an outstanding offensive team, ranking fourth in the NBA in offensive efficiency, as they are second in the league in field goal percentage and three-point percentage heading into tonight’s contest. The Wolves are only an average passing and ball-handling team. They also don’t get to the free-throw line often.
Defensively, the Timberwolves are below average, struggling with fouls and rebounding. The Wolves commit the seventh most fouls, and their 66.5% rebound percentage is the fifth-worst in the league. They are wing and frontcourt-heavy in terms of roster composition.
In terms of units, Minnesota’s starting five is among the best in the league—specifically the Timberwolves’ group of shooting guards and power forwards, led, of course, by Edwards and Randle. The Wolves’ centers rank just outside of the top 10, though their small forward group is below average.
Point Guard Is A Weakness For The Timberwolves
However, point guard is the Wolves’ most significant area of concern. The Wolves’ point guard unit ranks in the bottom six of the league. That is not surprising, as they only have three true point guards on the roster, and none of those players are starting. Instead, Chris Finch has decided to go with Donte DiVincenzo as the starter with the over-the-hill Mike Conley as the primary backup. 20-year-old Rob Dillingham hasn’t shown he is ready for a significant role, and Bones Hyland is the third string.
Minnesota point guards combine for 18.1 points, 8.0 assists, and 3.5 turnovers a game. The group has shot the ball well, making 45.8% of their shots from the field and 41.2% from beyond the 3-point line. Although the Timberwolves’ lead guard units have been unproductive on offense, they have struggled just as badly on the defensive end, allowing opposing point guards to average 27.1 points and 8.7 assists. Fouling has been one of the unit’s biggest issues.
As a result, Minnesota will likely look to upgrade the position before the trade deadline. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic recently disclosed on Sirius that the Timberwolves have inquired about the availability of the Memphis Grizzlies’ much-maligned star guard, Ja Morant.
“I do think that they could explore at least looking harder at Ja Morant,” Krawcynski said.
Morant, who recently served a one-game suspension detrimental to the team, has struggled in the early going. Morant is averaging 19.2 points, 7.9 assists, and 3.6 turnovers. He is shooting just 35.8% from the field and 14.8% from deep.
Can The Wolves Acquire Ja Morant?
Despite Morant’s shooting struggles, injury history (he has played 69 games over the last two-plus seasons), and volatility, the 26-year-old is a premier talent. He would likely fit well with the Wolves’ first approach to their offense and would definitely be a significant upgrade for the unit. Plus, he and Edwards would immediately form one of the most explosive backcourts in the league.
However, there are several hurdles for Minnesota to acquire Morant. First, there is no word that the Grizzlies won’t move Morant. The Grizzlies are just 4-7 on the season and have been hampered by injuries. While the Grizzlies are fairly deep, they don’t have elite talent beyond Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. So, it may be in the Grizzlies’ best interest to trade Morant.
Second, Morant is earning $39.4 million in the third season of his five-year max deal, and the Timberwolves are over the NBA’s first apron. Therefore, the Wolves can’t take on more salary than they send out.
What A Wolves- Grizzlies Trade Could Look Like
Timberwolves Receives:
Ja Morant
Grizzlies Receive:
Naz Reid
Mike Conley
Rob Dillingham
2028 First-Round Pick
2030 First-Round Pick
2032 First-Round Pick
Analysis: This would be a tough trade to make for both teams, and it would hard cap the Grizzlies at the first apron. Additionally, a trade involving Reid can’t occur until January 15.
The Wolves would get the point guard of the future, and they would save $1.8 million in cap room. However, the trade would leave them potentially without any future first-round selections until 2029. Additionally, Reid has been a key part of their franchise over the past few seasons and is one of the best frontcourt reserves in the league. In addition, the Wolves would have to sign three players, likely to minimum deals, to satisfy league requirements as the trade would leave them with 11 players on standard contracts.
Reid would be an excellent sidekick for Jackson Jr. Dillingham would likely get a chance to play regularly, finally. Conley and Ingles would likely be among the candidates to be released, as the trade would leave the Grizzlies with 18 players on standard contracts. Both players are on expiring contracts. The first-round picks have value, but they will get the dividends only after three more seasons.
Three- Team Potential Team Deal
A three-team deal with likely Brooklyn makes more sense for both squads.
Timberwolves Receive:
Ja Morant
Grizzlies Receive:
Naz Reid
2028 First Round Pick from Minnesota
2030 First Round Pick from Minnesota
Nets Receive:
Rudy Gobert
2027 First Round Pick from Memphis
2032 First Round Pick From Minnesota
Analysis: This proposed deal can’t occur until January 15 because of Reid’s restrictions. Brooklyn has the cap room to absorb money, and they would benefit by receiving draft compensation and ridding themselves of Claxton and Thomas. Also, Jon Konchar is on an expiring contract.
While the Timberwolves would still give up most of their remaining cap space, they would save $10.9 million by trading Gobert and Reid. Sharpe and Highsmith, both on expiring contracts, would help fill their frontcourt depth. The Wolves would likely have enough assets with Sharpe and Highsmith to make another impact deal, if they so choose.
Claxton, Reid, and Thomas, who is on an expiring contract, would provide the Grizzlies with additional young talent, as well as two first-round picks. While the Griz would add $11 million in cap space, they would still be $12 million below the first apron.
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