The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to have a busy offseason after falling short in the playoffs. But while trades and free agent signings will have to wait until later in the summer, the first loss could take place soon, as Micah Nori is a finalist for the Portland Trail Blazers’ head coaching position.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Nori is a finalist for the job along with current Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter, Los Angeles Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy, Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook, and Utah Jazz assistant Mike Williams.
This is not the first time Nori has been on the verge of leaving the Wolves this offseason, as he is a rumored candidate for the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks head coaching vacancies, per Stein. He has also interviewed for numerous head coaching jobs over the past two offseasons.
Regardless, it appears the 52-year-old could be the first domino to fall in a summer full of departures in Minnesota.
Micah Nori’s potential departure could be start of busy Timberwolves offseason
The Timberwolves need changes after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs earlier this month.
After reaching back-to-back Western Conference Finals, it appeared the current group had run its course after their defeat to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals, and it led president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, to all but declare that moves will be made this summer.
If Wolves fans have their way, the first flight out of Minneapolis will have Julius Randle as a passenger. One of the centerpieces of the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, Randle’s play wasn’t a big dropoff. But his on-court demeanor and rough performance during the playoffs contributed to some of the “moodiness” Naz Reid was referring to when the Wolves' season came to an end.
While Randle was the biggest scapegoat for the playoff failure, the Wolves could also look to part ways with Rudy Gobert. Gobert can still bring it on the defensive end, grabbing 11.5 rebounds and blocking 1.6 shots per game last season.
His 68.2 percent field goal percentage was his highest since converting at a 71.3 percent clip in his final season with the Utah Jazz in 2021-22. However, he has severe offensive limitations and a $36.5 million salary that could prevent Minnesota from getting a No. 2 star to pair with Anthony Edwards.
Randle and Gobert are the obvious candidates to be moved, but there are others that are on the block. The Wolves would love to keep Jaden McDaniels as part of their core, but he may be Minnesota’s best chance to outbid the rest of the league for Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ayo Dosunmu, Mike Conley and Kyle Anderson are also notable free agents who could leave town and it could all be kicked off if Nori takes a head coaching job.
Losing Nori would be significant for the Timberwolves
Nori is a top head coaching candidate thanks to the role he played in Minnesota’s resurgence. The Timberwolves improved dramatically with Nori working behind Chris Finch, which has included the team ranking in the top 10 in defensive rating over the past three years. This also includes the Wolves ranking first in defensive rating during the 2023-24 season, which made defense part of Minnesota’s identity.
There was also the test run Nori had as a replacement for Finch during the 2024 playoffs. While Finch was sitting in the second row after rupturing his patellar tendon in the series-clinching win in the first round over the Phoenix Suns, Nori was the frontman who helped lead Minnesota past the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the second-round.
With critical roles in the development of Towns, Edwards and Nikola Jokic from his time as an assistant with the Nuggets, Nori’s candidacy is more than just the entertaining sideline interviews he gives during games.
Regardless, it would also be a big loss for a team that’s about to embark on plenty of changes and could suffer his first if Nori takes a head coaching job.
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