The Minnesota Timberwolves are still for sale, but Glen Taylor is apparently not close to getting an offer he will accept. Plus, Wolves injury updates.
It’s been over six months since the Minnesota Timberwolves were put on the market, and the team still hasn’t been sold.
Team values may be coming down, at least in the short-term, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as detailed by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, and that may have an influence on not only a potential sale of the TiImberwolves franchise, but NBA expansion at large.
Also, the Wolves finally have some meaningful injury updates.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are still for sale, but aren’t about to be sold
Wolves owner Glen Taylor is still trying to sell his franchise, but it hasn’t happened yet and it certainly doesn’t look like it’s about to come to fruition anytime soon.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst penned an article (subscription required) noting that owners around the league are watching the potential sale of the Timberwolves as “an indicator of for franchise value”. The fact that the team has effectively been on the market since the middle of summer isn’t a great sign, Windhorst says.
There are plenty of factors to consider, of course, and it’s important to note that former Memphis Grizzlies minority owner Daniel Straus entered into an exclusive negotiating window back in September. According to Windhorst, Straus wanted to revise his offer due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and an anticipated lack of revenue in the near-term. That apparently was the sticking point back in the fall.
Darren Wolfson from SKOR North and KSTP had Taylor on his podcast just prior to Christmas, and Taylor made it clear that he was comfortable owning the Wolves months into the future.
Remember, Taylor considered selling the team both in 2012 and 2015 and ultimately changed his mind. He’s going to be meticulous with this process if necessary, and selling a franchise with a valuation north of $1.2 billion in the midst of a pandemic is no small task.
This is a situation to continue to monitor, both locally and league-wide as the NBA continues to consider expansion.
Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries: Karl-Anthony Towns, Okogie, Nowell
The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to have a pair of starters sidelined due to injury as they prepare to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday evening.
Karl-Anthony Towns is apparently moving closer to on-court action. With a four-game homestand upcoming, there would seem to be a shot that he could be back some time during that stretch.
Karl-Anthony Towns injury update from Ryan Saunders:
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 6, 2021
"He's progressed steadily. He's doing a little bit more, where he can kind of handle a ball on the court. Won't be available tonight. Won't be available next game. When we get back to Minnesota, we'll evaluate more."
Jaylen Nowell was active for Tuesday’s game in Denver while Jordan McLaughlin sat out as to not accrue a game towards his two-way contract. It may be tough for Nowell to crack the rotation at this point in time, but his shooting could be beneficial if he does see time.
Okogie may have a chance to play against the Trail Blazers on Thursday; it will be interesting to see what adjustments Ryan Saunders makes to the rotation when he does return.
The Wolves have some winnable games upcoming. After Portland, the Wolves have back-to-back games at Target Center against San Antonio on Saturday and Sunday. Getting Okogie and maybe even Towns back would be a major boon to possibly putting together a mini-winning streak.