The perception of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ future NBA Drafts is that the team has no picks until 2030. That’s just not so. In fact, we have already taken a pretty deep dive into the 2023 NBA Draft and discussed how the Timberwolves can add to their roster depth this season. So, what about the following year, the 2024 NBA Draft?
While it’s a year away, it’s never too late to talk about what is to come. After all, if the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to compete for years to come, then the team will need plenty of new players, not only to refresh and restock the roster but to help balance out the salary cap burden of carrying 15 players, as four of those players take up the lion’s share of the roster’s payroll.
And so, the Timberwolves will be regrouping after their 2023-24 NBA season, and in the process looking to upgrade some of the players at the bottom of their roster. Like who? Well, that’s a season away. Right now, we know that the Timberwolves roster, pending some unforeseen trade, will have just four players under contract: Center Rudy Gobert, power forward Karl-Anthony Towns, small forward Josh Minott, and shooting guard Wendell Moor Jr.
2024 NBA Draft: When do the Timberwolves pick?
Round 1 – Allotted pick
Round 2 – Traded allotted pick to either Trail Blazers or Thunder
Incoming: 2024 2nd-round pick (lesser of Memphis or Washington picks) from D’Angelo Russell trade
Summary: 1 (0ne) 1st-round pick (MIN), 1 (One) 2nd-round pick (MEM or WAS)
Of course, the Timberwolves are not going to roll into the 2024 NBA offseason with just four players on the roster. The team will have at least one more player on the roster from the 2023 NBA Draft. And the team will likely have extensions in place for SG Anthony Edwards and SF Jaden McDaniels. If the team is correct in their belief that they can extend backup center Naz Reid, then he could be on the roster as well.
Finally, you have to believe that the Timberwolves give serious consideration to a multi-year deal to backup center Luka Garza and backup shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Finally, do veteran forwards Kyle Anderson and/or Taurean Prince warrant one more extension? And what of veteran point guard Mike Conely Jr.? The Timberwolves do not have a clear successor to his role on the team.