The Minnesota Timberwolves have been linked to All-Star point guard Trae Young at various points of the 2025-26 season. The idea would clearly be to create a brilliant backcourt with Young and Anthony Edwards that consists of two of the most productive players in the NBA.
For as compelling as that possibility may be, the Timberwolves have come to their senses and removed themselves from the Trae Young sweepstakes.
Young is a polarizing talent, with generational production and career-long concerns about his defensive inconsistency and ball-dominant nature. For a Minnesota team that's already made back-to-back Conference Finals appearances, it appears as though those concerns are too grand to overlook.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Young has expressed interest in playing for the Timberwolves. Up to this point in time, however, the interest has been one-sided.
"I'm told that Young’s camp has suggested Minnesota and Brooklyn, from their side, as two attractive potential destinations. Yet I'm also told that neither the Timberwolves nor the Nets are in pursuit."
That alone offers reason to breathe a sigh of relief, but the most important note from Fischer's report was that Minnesota isn't looking to add a point guard on a lucrative contract.
"I've been told pretty emphatically this week that Minnesota is not only uninvolved on the Young front but also isn't chasing any high-priced guards."
Though there's reason to believe a star-caliber point guard could elevate the Timberwolves, the team is wise to be cautious when adding to a team that's already on the cusp of contending.
Trae Young wants to play for the Timberwolves, but interest isn't mutual
There's no avoiding how badly Minnesota needs to find an upgrade at the point guard position. Mike Conley is 38 and struggling to play the brand of efficient basketball fans have become accustomed to seeing from him, Rob Dillingham has been unable to find his footing, and Donte DiVincenzo is playing out of position.
Even still, the Timberwolves are 24-13 overall, 14-5 over their past 19 games, and just 1.5 games back of the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
With this in mind, it's difficult to argue that Minnesota is a star-caliber point guard away from contending. It's not only experiencing success in the regular season, but reached the Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025 with series victories over teams led by Jimmy Butler, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic.
Rather than gambling on a star being able to adapt to a new environment in time for the 2025 NBA Playoffs, it seems as though the Timberwolves are instead prioritizing fit.
Timberwolves too close to a title to blow it up for a ball-dominant player
Perhaps Minnesota will opt to pursue a two-way guard such as Ayo Dosunmu, thus strengthening their depth without necessarily going all-in on a facilitator. It's just as possible that playmaking will be a more prominent focus, thus making a Scotty Pippen Jr. type of player an ideal target.
Regardless of who the Timberwolves ultimately pursue, it's clear that they aren't willing to take on a player with a lucrative contract—likely due to the personnel losses they'd incur when matching salaries.
It's a logical decision despite the obvious need for improvement at one of the most talented positions in the NBA. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle have formed a dynamic duo across two seasons together, and the team around them is flush with talented players who are thriving in their roles.
Rather than bringing in a ball-dominant player on a massive contract, the Timberwolves are focused on acquiring meaningful talent that won't prohibit them from keeping the core in place or completing future trades or signings.
Controversial as it may be to pass over a four-time All-Star like Young, it's the best possible approach for Minnesota to take.