The Minnesota Timberwolves have made some big changes in the free agency period so far. Running low on finances and with the penalties of the second apron looming, the team made the difficult choice to not re-sign Kyle Anderson and allow him to go elsewhere.
The result was heavy interest from the Golden State Warriors resulting in a sign-and-trade being completed. Minnesota will lose their valuable three-and-D wing, but such is life under the NBA's new financial constraints. The bright side here is that the Wolves will now have a little more capital to focus elsewhere.
Part of that extra money was used to ink veteran forward Joe Ingles to a one-year contract. As the Timberwolves continue scouring the free agent market for other small additions to sure up their rotation, next year's roster is beginning to take shape.
Here is what Minnesota's depth chart looks like as of right now.
Projected Timberwolves depth chart for the 2024-25 season:
- Point guard: Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham
- Shooting guard: Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaylen Clark
- Small forward: Jaden McDaniels, Joe Ingles, Terrence Shannon Jr.
- Power forward: Karl-Anthony Towns, Leonard Miller, Josh Minott
- Center: Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Luka Garza
The starting lineup will likely remain unchanged from last season. Mike Conley stays in the starting point guard spot, while Anthony Edwards of course makes up the other half of the starting backcourt. Jaden McDaniels stays at the three, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert round out the starting five, as expected.
From there, things get a little more complicated. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid and Kyle Anderson represented the Wolves' heaviest minutes off the bench last season, and of course Slo-Mo has now departed. It appears the player that will most closely fill his role is Ingles.
Perhaps the only big need left for management to address in free agency is a backup point guard. With Jordan McLaughlin and Monte Morris both gone, Chris Finch may want to have a more experienced backup to run his offense when Mike Conley takes a rest.
The incoming rookies and younger players will theoretically get less playing time, as this coaching staff has wisely leaned into their veterans while building a championship-level squad. But as things change, it is possible we see guys like Leonard Miller and Rob Dillingham get more opportunity in the near future.