Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Restricted free agency and more

The Minnesota Timberwolves have some well-documented tough decisions to make this offseason in restricted free agency. Plus, an intriguing profile of  head trainer Gregg Farnum.

We’ve spent plenty of time here at Dunking With Wolves covering the challenges on deck for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the upcoming offseason.

The foremost issue for the Wolves to address will be restricted free agency, with two important acquisitions from the trade deadline surely seeking significant raises.

Recently, our own Logan Alten touched on the complicated dance that is restricted free agency while Brandon Hedtke took a detailed look at Malik Beasley‘s worth.

Now, Chris Hine of the Star Tribune hosted a Twitter and email mailbag, answering fan’s questions. Outside of the obvious, when-will-the-NBA-return questions, which Hine answered as gracefully as possible (because nobody actually knows, of course), the most interesting inquiry was related to the restricted free agent status of Beasley and Juan Hernangomez.

Hine suggested that Beasley could command anywhere from $15 million to $18 million per year. Of course, the inevitable lowering of the NBA salary cap that will be necessitated by an increase in basketball revenue (i.e. less games played) will limit the number of teams that would be able to bid for Beasley’s services.

Hine also says that Hernangomez could make around $9 million per year.

Both estimates sound about right, although perhaps a hair high. If the Wolves could get either of those guys for much less than those numbers, they’d likely jump at the opportunity.

Elsewhere, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic penned a fantastic profile of 20-year Timberwolves trainer Gregg Farnum (subscription required). Farnum has been on staff since 2000 and has had the opportunity to serve on multiple NBA All-Star teams staffs as well as multiple Team USA squads in international competition.

Of course, he’s also survived multiple front office and coaching staff regime changes, too, and has been a constant all along.

The article includes quotes from former Wolves including Kevin Love and Robert Covington and plenty of thoughts from president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas.

It’s a great read, and kudos to Farnum for finally getting his due after being a huge part of this organization for many years.

Enjoy the rest of your day at home, and catch a classic Wolves game later this week while you’re at it…