Minnesota Timberwolves: Why so few free agency moves?

Despite limited cap space, it would be fair for Minnesota Timberwolves fans to expect their favorite club to be doing their best to make offseason moves. But so far, not much has happened.

After a playoff finish that could’ve potentially lasted longer than it did without the significant injury to Jimmy Butler, one would expect the Wolves would be adding a few players in free agency to make an even stronger push next season.

Yet with only one outside signing so far in Anthony Tolliver and the loss of one of the better shooters on last year’s team (Nemanja Bjelica), what’s happening with the Wolves in free agency?

After signing Andrew Wiggins to his max contract extension last season, money was always going to be tight heading into this year. Wiggins makes a leap from a $7.5 million paycheck last season to being the Wolves’ highest-paid player at $25 million this season, and the money only goes up from there.

The 2018-19 season will also be the last season of Karl-Anthony Towns’ rookie contract, after which the Timberwolves will likely be paying him a similar salary to that of Wigigns.

On the other end of the scale, the Wolves’ two cheapest players, Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones, will both be free agents at the end of the upcoming season and could command salaries above what the Timberwolves may be willing to offer.

A few seasons ago, money was the least of the struggling Wolves’ problems, and now they find themselves in a position where the team may not yet be a championship contender, but with players arguably making more than they should.

Gorgui Dieng still has three years and almost $50 million left on his contract, yet Tom Thibodeau has shown a reluctance to play him in a role deserving of such a price tag.

Dieng started all 82 games of the 2016-17 season, averaging 10 points in 32 minutes per game. Last season, Dieng didn’t make a single start and averaged 5.9 points in just 16.9 minutes per contest, coming off the bench for all 79 of his appearances.

The Timberwolves’ only outside signing other than draft picks and two-way contract signee Jared Terrell has been forward and journeyman Anthony Tolliver.

Apart from Thibodeau’s alleged interest in some former Bulls players should they be bought out, even rumors on the Timberwolves being interested in any free agents have been pretty quiet.

With Nemanja Bjelica signing in Philadelphia, the Wolves have a need for shooting — and there are a number of available options still in free agency. Are they within the Wolves price range? We’ll have to wait and see.

As things currently stand, the Wolves roster stands at 13, including Jared Terrell on a two-way contract. Knowing Thibs’ short rotation he used last season, this is probably somewhere around an ideal number for him, although the overall talent level may fall a little flat.

Four of those 13 players are essentially rookies, including Justin Patton who has played just two minutes in the NBA and will still be injured at the start of training camp.

Losing Bjelica is another dent in the already 3-point-challenged squad, which includes ranking dead-last in threes made and attempted throughout last season. The addition of one or two 3-point shooters could make a huge difference to the Wolves offense, and with a number of 3-and-D type players available in free agency, I’d expect Thibodeau to be looking closely at them.

All in all, it seems that Thibs is waiting to make some moves, likely when players are getting a little worried they won’t meet their expected salary range, and may take a one year minimum deal with a playoff team such as Minnesota. Either that, or Thibs mistakenly thinks this team as it is can truly compete in a stacked Western Conference.

Next: Timberwolves - Butler Rejects Wolves' Max Contract Offer

Unfortunately, there is still have plenty of time before next season gets underway. Surely, Tom Thibodeau has some tricks up his sleeve that will be unveiled before then … right?